HSK 3 grammar · new HSK syllabus
只有…才…: only if
只有 A 才 B = only if A, then B: 只有多练习，才能说好.
Structure
- 只有 + condition，(subject) + 才 + result
How it works
只有 names the only condition that works, and 才 introduces the result: 只有多说，才能说好.
It is stronger than 只要…就…, which says one condition is enough.
Examples
-
只有多练习，才能说得流利。
Zhǐyǒu duō liànxí, cái néng shuō de liúlì.
Only by practising a lot can you speak fluently.
-
只有他知道这件事。
Zhǐyǒu tā zhīdào zhè jiàn shì.
Only he knows about this.
-
只有周末我才有时间。
Zhǐyǒu zhōumò wǒ cái yǒu shíjiān.
I only have time at the weekend.
-
只有努力学习，才能考上好大学。
Zhǐyǒu nǔlì xuéxí, cái néng kǎo shàng hǎo dàxué.
Only by studying hard can you get into a good university.
-
这个菜只有这家饭馆才有。
Zhège cài zhǐyǒu zhè jiā fànguǎn cái yǒu.
Only this restaurant has this dish.
Words in these examples (27)
| 只有 | zhǐyǒu | only (if) | HSK 3 |
| 多 | duō | many; much; (in questions) how | HSK 1 |
| 练习 | liànxí | to practise; exercise | HSK 3 |
| 才 | cái | only then; only; just | HSK 3 |
| 能 | néng | can; to be able to | HSK 1 |
| 说 | shuō | to say; to speak | HSK 1 |
| 得 | de | (particle after a verb before a description of how it is done, as in 说得很好) | HSK 2 |
| 流利 | liúlì | fluent | HSK 4 |
| 他 | tā | he; him | HSK 1 |
| 知道 | zhīdào | to know (a fact) | HSK 1 |
| 这 | zhè | this | HSK 1 |
| 件 | jiàn | (measure word for clothes, matters, items) | HSK 1 |
| 事 | shì | matter; thing (to do) | HSK 1 |
| 周末 | zhōumò | weekend | HSK 3 |
| 我 | wǒ | I; me | HSK 1 |
| 有 | yǒu | to have; there is | HSK 1 |
| 时间 | shíjiān | time | HSK 1 |
| 努力 | nǔlì | to try hard; hard-working | HSK 3 |
| 学习 | xuéxí | to study; to learn | HSK 1 |
| 考 | kǎo | to take a test | HSK 2 |
| 上 | shàng | up; on; above; to go up; to get on; previous | HSK 1 |
| 好 | hǎo | good; well | HSK 1 |
| 大学 | dàxué | university | HSK 1 |
| 这个 | zhège | this one | HSK 1 |
| 菜 | cài | dish (of food); vegetable | HSK 1 |
| 家 | jiā | home; family; (measure word for shops and companies) | HSK 1 |
| 饭馆 | fànguǎn | restaurant | HSK 2 |
Common mistakes
-
✗只有多练习，就能说好。
✓只有多练习，才能说好。
只有 pairs with 才.
-
✗只有周末我有时间才。
✓只有周末我才有时间。
才 goes before the verb.
Check yourself
Choose the word that fills the gap.
1. 只有认真复习， 能考好。
2. 他会说日语。
3. 只有周末，我 去游泳。