Expressing "only if" with "zhiyou"

只有 (zhǐyǒu) means "only if," and is used with 才 (cái) to emphasize that only one course of action will bring about the desired outcome.

Structure

只有 + Essential Condition + 才 + Desired Outcome

Examples

• 只有 努力 才 能 做 好 工作。Only with hard work is it possible to do a good job.
• 只有 经济 发展 才 会 有 更 好 的 明天。Only if the economy develops will it be possible to have an even better tomorrow.
• 只有 多 吃饭 才 能 长高。Only if you eat more will you be able to grow tall.

See also

• "As long as" with "zhiyao"
• "If…, then…" with "ruguo…, jiu…"

Sources and further reading

Books

• New Practical Chinese Reader 4 (新实用汉语课本4) (pp. 42) →buy
• 卓越汉语－公司实战篇 (p. 113) →buy
• 40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课下册） (p. 516)→buy

Websites

• Yale Chinese Usage Dictionary 只 and 只有