只能 zhǐnéng can only
can only; obliged to do something; to have no other choice
How to remember 只能: 只 only + 能 able to = can only.
Characters
How it is used
- 'Can only / have no choice but' - 没车了，只能走路 (méi chē le, zhǐ néng zǒulù) no bus left, we can only walk.
- Conveys resignation to the sole remaining option: 只能这样了 (zhǐ néng zhèyàng le) nothing else for it.
- Not the same as 只会 (zhǐ huì, only knows how to); 只能 is about being limited to one option, not skill.
Example sentences
- 我只能给你十分钟。 Wǒ zhǐnéng gěi nǐ shífēnzhōng.I can only give you ten minutes.
- 我要说的只能是你知我知。 Wǒ yàoshuō de zhǐnéng shì nǐ zhī wǒ zhī.What I'm about to say is strictly between you and me.
- 这个你只能用一次。 Zhège nǐ zhǐnéng yòng yīcì.You can only use it once.