只有…才…
only if …: the one necessary condition
Structure
只有 唯一的条件 ， 才 结果
What it means
“Only if …”: names the one necessary condition; without it, the result will not happen.
How it is built
只有 + only condition，(subject) 才 + result: 只有多听多说，才能学好口语 (Only by listening and speaking a lot can you learn to speak well).
When to use it
The mirror of 只要…就: 只要 says the condition is enough, 只有 says it is the only way. 才 marks a result that comes late or with difficulty.
Watch out
才 is the giveaway, so don’t pair 只有 with 就: ✗ 只有分数够，就能被录取。 ✓ 只有分数够，才能被录取。
Examples
只有分数达到录取线，才有可能被录取。
Only when your score reaches the cut-off can you be admitted.
只有多听多说，才能学好口语。
Only by listening and speaking a lot can you learn to speak well.
Learn this in Lesson 7 · HSK 5: 高考 (The college entrance exam)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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