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只要

zhǐ yào
HSK 2.0 Level 4 HSK 3.0 Level 3 Conjunction Very common

Definitions

  1. 1. if only
  2. 2. so long as

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Word relationships

Related words

2 items
如果
rú guǒ

if

Both introduce conditions, but 只要 emphasizes a minimal sufficient condition, while 如果 introduces a neutral hypothetical.
只有
zhǐ yǒu

only have ...

只要 indicates a sufficient condition; 只有 indicates a necessary condition.

Usage notes

Common mistakes

Do not use 只要 for 'as long as' in temporal sense; it only expresses conditional 'as long as'.

Grammar

Guides that feature 只要

Jump into a full guide with fill-in-the-blank drills. Clicking will load the page and move you to the top.

2 guides
HSK 2.0 Level 4+ HSK 3.0 Level 4+ 6 min
Condition Chains

Build longer conditional sentences without losing the relationship.

Reading: zhǐ yào Open guide
HSK 2.0 Level 4+ HSK 3.0 Level 4+ 6 min
只要...就... and 只有...才...

Separate “as long as” from “only if.”

Reading: zhǐ yào Open guide

Example Sentences

5 shown
只要 我们众志成城，就一定能克服困难。
As long as we are united, we will surely overcome the difficulties.
只要 大家齐心协力，就一定能成功。
As long as everyone works together with one heart and mind, we will surely succeed.
只要 你努力，就能成功。
As long as you work hard, you will succeed.
只要 努力，别人就会看得起你。
As long as you work hard, others will think highly of you.
只要 努力，你会有锦绣前程。
As long as you work hard, you will have a bright future.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 只要

只要功夫深，铁杵磨成针
zhǐ yào gōng fu shēn , tiě chǔ mó chéng zhēn

If you work at it hard enough, you can grind an iron bar into a needle.

Child Words of 只要

只
zhǐ

only

只
zhī

grain that has begun to ripen

要
yāo

(bound form) to demand; to coerce

要
yào

to want; to need; to ask for