只有 zhǐyǒu only
only; alone
How to remember 只有: 只 only + 有 have = only.
Characters
How it is used
- In the pattern 只有 A，才 B - 'only if A, then B': 只有努力，才能成功 (zhǐyǒu nǔlì, cái néng chénggōng) only by working hard can you succeed. Pairs with 才 (cái).
- This is stronger and more exclusive than 只要 (zhǐyào… 就, as long as… then): 只有 marks the sole necessary condition.
- Also plain 'only have / there is only': 只有三个 (zhǐyǒu sān gè) there are only three.
Example sentences
- 我们只有茶水。 Wǒmen zhǐyǒu cháshuǐ.We only have tea.
- 我只有一点儿钱。 Wǒ zhǐ yǒu yìdiǎnr qián.I only have a little money.
- 这里只有大号的。 Zhèlǐ zhǐyǒu dà hào de.We only have L size here.
- 桌子上只有一本书。 Zhuōzi shàng zhǐyǒu yī běnshū.There is only one book on the desk.