只能

zhǐ néng

HSK 3.0 Level 3 Common

Definitions

1. can only
2. obliged to do sth
3. to have no other choice

Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

• 可以 kě yǐ 可以 kě yǐ can 只能 expresses limitation, while 可以 expresses permission or possibility.: can

Related words

1 item

• 必须 bì xū 必须 bì xū to have to 只能 is about limited options, 必须 is about obligation.: to have to

Synonyms

2 items

• 不得不 bù dé bù 不得不 bù dé bù have no choice or option but to When emphasizing that one has no choice but to do something.: have no choice or option but to
• 只好 zhǐ hǎo 只好 zhǐ hǎo to have no other option but to ...; to have to; to be forced to Both indicate having no better choice, but 只好 is often used for less desirable outcomes.: to have no other option but to ...; to have to; to be forced to

Usage notes

Common mistakes

只能 is placed before the verb, not at the end of the clause. E.g., 我只能去 (I can only go), not 我去只能.

Formality

只能 is neutral and can be used in both spoken and written contexts, but in very formal writing, 仅能 may sometimes appear.

Example Sentences

4 shown

我真没辙了， 只能 等结果。

I'm really at my wit's end and can only wait for the outcome.

由于限于时间，我们 只能 讨论一个问题。

Since we are limited by time, we can only discuss one question.

这个房间非常狭小， 只能 放下一张床。

This room is very narrow, only able to fit a bed.

他沒有選擇， 只能 辭職。

Source: Tatoeba.org (ID 882166)

Sentence data courtesy of Tatoeba.org. AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 只能

• 只 只 zhǐ: only
• 只 只 zhī: grain that has begun to ripen
• 能 能 néng: can