条件复句 · HSK 3→4 (reinforced)

只有…才…

States a NECESSARY condition — B can ONLY happen if A is met. There is no other way to achieve B.

只有 + necessary condition, 才 + result

Examples / 例句

只有多练习，才能提高口语水平。

Zhǐyǒu duō liànxí, cái néng tígāo kǒuyǔ shuǐpíng.

Only by practicing more can you improve your speaking.

Practice is the ONLY way

只有亲自去一趟，才能了解真实情况。

Zhǐyǒu qīnzì qù yí tàng, cái néng liǎojiě zhēnshí qíngkuàng.

Only by going yourself can you understand the real situation.

No substitute for being there

只有大家一起努力，才能完成这个项目。

Zhǐyǒu dàjiā yìqǐ nǔlì, cái néng wánchéng zhège xiàngmù.

Only if everyone works together can we finish this project.

Collective effort is necessary

✗ 只有你努力，就能成功。

✓ 只有你努力，才能成功。/ 只要你努力，就能成功。

只有 pairs with 才 (not 就). If using 就, change to 只要.

✗ 只有今天天气好，才去爬山。

✓ 只要今天天气好，就去爬山。

Good weather is sufficient (not the ONLY factor) → 只要…就.

Easily confused: 只有…才 = necessary (ONLY way). 只要…就 = sufficient (one of many ways). Opposite logic! See comparison →

Complete each sentence using this pattern. Type the missing word(s) and press Enter.

多读多练，___能提高水平。

只有亲自去看，知道是什么样子。

大家一起努力，才能成功。

___坚持锻炼，___能保持健康。

Exercise is necessary for health (strict) → 只有…才.

___通过了HSK 4，___能申请这个奖学金。

HSK 4 is a mandatory requirement → 只有…才.

___认真听讲，___能学好这门课。

Listening carefully is necessary → 只有…才.