只要
zhǐ yào HSK 4

English Meaning

📚 Example Sentences

只要努力,就能成功。
Zhǐyào nǔlì, jiù néng chénggōng.
As long as you work hard, you can succeed.
只要不下雨,我们就去。
Zhǐyào bú xiàyǔ, wǒmen jiù qù.
Provided that it doesn't rain, we will go.
只要你有时间,就帮我。
Zhǐyào nǐ yǒu shíjiān, jiù bāng wǒ.
So long as you have time, help me.
只要努力。
Zhǐyào nǔlì.
Just work hard.
只要下雨。
Zhǐyào xià yǔ.
Just if it rains.

💡 Memory Tip

Think of 只要 as 'only need' – if you only need to meet one condition (只要), then the result will follow. The character 只 means 'only,' and 要 means 'need,' helping recall its meaning of 'as long as.'

📝 Usage Notes

It is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese, in formal and informal contexts. It often appears in conditional sentences to express a sufficient condition for a result.

📖 Grammar Points

The most common structure is '只要 + condition, 就 + result,' as in '只要你不告诉她,她就不会知道这件事.' It can also be used with other adverbs like 便, 都, or 一定 to indicate the result.

🏯 Cultural Notes

It emphasizes a minimal or single condition being sufficient for a desired outcome, reflecting a pragmatic and optimistic approach to problem-solving.

🔄 Similar Words

如果 (rúguǒ) means 'if' and introduces a general condition, while 只要 specifically highlights that the condition is the only necessary one. 只有 (zhǐyǒu) means 'only if' and emphasizes a necessary condition, whereas 只要 focuses on sufficiency.

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