Ch 28 · Lesson 9Mandarin · Chapter 28 · Lesson 9 · Grammar primer
只要…就 and 只有…才: as long as, only if
， sets a low bar; ， sets the only one. Each opener keeps its own partner.
The short version
，。Zhǐyào nǐ shuō, wǒ jiù bāng nǐ.
Why?Hide
(zhǐyào) sets a low bar: meet this one condition and the result follows. (jiù) opens the result, after its subject and before the verb: (zhǐyào nǐ lái), (wǒ jiù qù), as long as you come, I'll go. (jiù wǒ qù) is wrong.
，。Zhǐyǒu nǐ lái, tā cái huì lái.
Why?Hide
(zhǐyǒu) sets the one condition with no way round it, and (cái) answers it: (zhǐyǒu nǐ lái), (wǒ cái qù), I'll only go if you come. Do not cross the pairs: (zhǐyào) wants (jiù), and (zhǐyǒu) wants (cái).
只要 (zhǐyào)… 就 (jiù): as long as
(zhǐyào) opens the condition; (jiù) opens the result, after its subject and before the verb:
| Hanzi | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
，。 | Zhǐyào nǐ shuō, wǒ jiù bāng nǐ. | Just say the word and I'll help you |
，。 | Zhǐyào nǐ lái, wǒ jiù hěn gāoxìng. | As long as you come, I'm happy |
，。 | Zhǐyào yǒu shíjiān, wǒ jiù gěi nǐ dǎ diànhuà. | As long as I have time, I'll ring you |
The condition is a low bar, and that makes the pair warm: it promises the result is easy to get.
只有 (zhǐyǒu)… 才 (cái): only if
(zhǐyǒu) opens the condition; (cái) opens the result, in the same place (jiù) would go:
| Hanzi | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
，。 | Zhǐyǒu nǐ shuō, tā cái tīng. | He only listens if you say it |
，。 | Zhǐyǒu nǐ lái, tā cái huì lái. | He'll only come if you come |
，。 | Zhǐyǒu zhèyàng, wèntí cái néng jiějué. | Only this way can it be solved |
The condition is the single gate. English often has to move words around for this ("only then will…"); Mandarin keeps its order and lets (cái) do the work. (chúfēi)… (cái), "unless", works the same way: ， (chúfēi nǐ lái, wǒ cái qù), I won't go unless you come. It is on unless and in case.
When the second half has no subject of its own, (cái) starts it: ， (zhǐyǒu duō tīng, cái néng tīngdǒng), only by listening a lot can you understand.
Keep each opener with its partner
The pairs do not cross. (zhǐyào) wants (jiù), and (zhǐyǒu) wants (cái):
| Wrong | Right | Why |
|---|---|---|
，。 | ，。 | (zhǐyào) is answered by |
，。 | ，。 | (zhǐyǒu) is answered by |
，。 | ，。 | (jiù) goes after the subject |
The logic is the same as on the 就 and 才 page: (jiù) for sooner or easier, (cái) for later or harder. An easy condition takes the easy partner.
(zhǐyǒu) also has an everyday meaning that is not a condition at all: "only have". (wǒ zhǐyǒu yí ge) is "I've only got one". It means "only if" when (cái) answers it in a second half.
Going further: The whole system on one screen and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
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