唯有…才…
only … (written 只有)
Structure
唯有／只有 唯一的条件 ， 才 结果
What it means
Only …: names the one condition that alone makes the result possible. A written 只有…才….
How it is built
唯有 + sole condition，(subject +) 才 + result: 唯有努力，才能改变现状 (Only hard work can change the way things are).
When to use it
Written and elevated; 只有…才… is the everyday form. 唯 (also written 惟) means “only”. 唯一 is “the only one”; 唯独 is “only this one, unlike the rest”; 唯恐 is “for fear that”.
Watch out
Pair it with 才, not 就: ✗ 唯有努力，就能成功 ✓ 唯有努力，才能成功. 就 goes with 只要 (as long as), a condition that is enough but not the only one.
Examples
唯有反复朗读，才能体会到其中的韵味。
Only by reading aloud again and again can you feel its charm.
唯有努力，才能改变现状。
Only hard work can change the way things are.
Learn this in Lesson 208 · HSK 9+: 唐诗宋词 (Tang poems and Song lyrics)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. This lesson is free.
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