Expressing "only if" with "zhiyou"

只有 (zhǐyǒu) means "only if", and is used with 才 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。
• 只有 经济 发展 才 会 有 更 好 的 明天。
• 只有 多 吃饭 才 能 长高。

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

Websites

• Yale Chinese Usage Dictionary 只 and 只有