Language
I'm learning
中文
DictionaryBlogPayment

Conditional complex sentence “只有……，才……”

In the Chinese pattern “只有……，才……” (zhǐyǒu..., cái...) the part after “只有” names the one condition required for the result.

That is, without that condition the result after “才” does not come about.

Basic Structure

只有 + condition，才 + result

In English:

Only if …, then …

or

Only when …, …

Examples

只(Zhǐ)有(yǒu)想(xiǎng)清(qīng)楚(chu)自(zì)己(jǐ)真(zhēn)正(zhèng)喜(xǐ)欢(huan)什(shén)么(me)，才(cái)能(néng)做(zuò)出(chū)最(zuì)合(hé)适(shì)的(de)选(xuǎn)择(zé)。
Only once you're clear about what you really like can you make the most fitting choice.

Structure

只有 + 想清楚自己真正喜欢什么 才 + 能做出最合适的选择 只有 — only if 想清楚 — to think it through, to get clear about 自己真正喜欢什么 — what you really like 才能 — only then can you 做出最合适的选择 — make the most fitting choice
只(Zhǐ)有(yǒu)每(měi)天(tiān)锻(duàn)炼(liàn)身(shēn)体(tǐ)，才(cái)会(huì)越(yuè)来(lái)越(yuè)健(jiàn)康(kāng)。
Only by exercising every day will you get healthier and healthier.

Structure

只有 + 每天锻炼身体 才 + 会越来越健康 每天 — every day 锻炼身体 — to exercise 才会 — only then will you 越来越健康 — get healthier and healthier
只(Zhǐ)有(yǒu)多(duō)听(tīng)、多(duō)说(shuō)、多(duō)看(kàn)，你(nǐ)的(de)中(Zhōng)文(wén)水(shuǐ)平(píng)才(cái)能(néng)提(tí)高(gāo)。
Only by listening, speaking and reading more can your Chinese improve.

Structure

只有 + 多听、多说、多看 你的中文水平 + 才能 + 提高 多听 — to listen more 多说 — to speak more 多看 — to read / watch more 你的中文水平 — your level of Chinese 才能提高 — only then can it improve

Quick Rule

只有 + condition，才 + result

Meaning: the first clause names the one condition the result requires. Without it, the result in the second clause does not happen.

Examples:

只(Zhǐ)有(yǒu)想(xiǎng)清(qīng)楚(chu)，才(cái)能(néng)做(zuò)出(chū)选(xuǎn)择(zé)。
Only once you've thought it through can you make a choice.
只(Zhǐ)有(yǒu)每(měi)天(tiān)锻(duàn)炼(liàn)，才(cái)会(huì)越(yuè)来(lái)越(yuè)健(jiàn)康(kāng)。
Only by exercising every day will you get healthier.
只(Zhǐ)有(yǒu)多(duō)听(tīng)、多(duō)说(shuō)、多(duō)看(kàn)，中(Zhōng)文(wén)水(shuǐ)平(píng)才(cái)能(néng)提(tí)高(gāo)。
Only by listening, speaking and reading more can your Chinese improve.