只有

zhǐyǒu

HSK 3

只有 — zhǐyǒu

1. only; there is only (used to indicate exclusivity or limitation)

   家里只有一台电脑。 jiālǐ zhǐyǒu yītái diànnǎo — There is only one computer in the house.

2. only if ... (used with 才 to form a conditional: only when A happens can B happen)

   只有努力学习才能考上好大学。 zhǐyǒu nǔlìxuéxí cáinéng kǎoshàng hǎo dàxué — Only by studying hard can you get into a good university.

3. it is only (someone) who ... (used to single out a person or group)

   只有你才会这么想。 zhǐyǒu nǐ cái huì zhème xiǎng — Only you would think that.

4. can only; have no choice but to (expressing lack of alternatives)

   外面下大雪了，我们只有坐火车回家。 wàimiàn xià dàxuě le wǒmen zhǐyǒu zuòhuǒchē huíjiā — It's snowing heavily outside; we can only take the train home.