Expressing "only if" with "zhiyou"

Revision as of 04:28, 3 November 2011 by Jonathan.pope (talk | contribs)

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.

Some examples:

  • 只有 经历 风 雨 才 会 见 到 彩虹。
  • 只有 经济 发展 才 会 有 更 美好 的 明天。
  • 只有 投降 才 能 保证 我们 的 性命。

Sources and further reading

Books

New Practical Chinese Reader 4 (新实用汉语课本4) pp.42