How to say “only if” in Chinese with 只有 (zhǐyǒu)
只有 (zhǐyǒu) + Condition, 才 (cái) + Result
只有 (zhī yǒu) — only if
只有 (zhǐyǒu) + Condition, 才 (cái) + Result
HSK 3Conditional Statements只有 (zhī yǒu) — only if
Rule structure
只有 (zhǐyǒu)… 才 (cái)… is a stronger conditional meaning "only if… then…" emphasizing the condition is the sole requirement.
Rule structure
只有 (zhǐyǒu)… 才 (cái)… is a stronger conditional meaning "only if… then…" emphasizing the condition is the sole requirement.
Examples
只有你去，我才去。
Zhǐyǒu nǐ qù, wǒ cái qù.
Only if you go will I go.
Examples
只有你去，我才去。
Zhǐyǒu nǐ qù, wǒ cái qù.
Only if you go will I go.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you say “only if” in Chinese with 只有?
Use the structure: 只有 (zhǐyǒu) + Condition, 才 (cái) + Result. For example: 只有你去，我才去。 — “Only if you go will I go.”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
只有你去，我才去。 — “Only if you go will I go.”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.
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More HSK 3 grammar rules
才 — only after, not until
Condition, + 才 (cái) + Result
只要 — as long as
只要 (zhǐyào) + Condition, 就 (jiù) + Result
一边 — doing two things at once
一边 (yìbiān) + Verb 1, 一边 (yìbiān) + Verb 2
如果…就 — if… then…
如果 (rúguǒ)……，就 (jiù)……
万 — big numbers
Number + 万 (wàn) / 亿 (yì)
地 — turning adjectives into adverbs
Adj. + 地 (de) + Verb
AA — reduplicating adjectives
AA / AABB
想 — as one likes
想 (xiǎng) + Verb Phrase with Question Word + 就 (jiù) + Same Verb Phrase