(zhǐ néng) - can only, have no choice but to in Mandarin
zhǐnéngTraditional: 只能
Translation
can only, have no choice but to
Word origin
只能 (zhǐnéng) 'can only' joins 只 (zhǐ, 'only') and 能 (néng, 'to be able'). 只 shows 口 (mouth) with marks below, used for 'only'; 能 was originally a pictograph of a bear, later borrowed to mean 'ability, can'.
- Origin
- compound
- Root
- 只 (zhǐ, 'only') + 能 (néng, pictograph of a bear, borrowed for 'ability')
Stroke order
只
能
Examples
，。
Without a car, I can only walk.
。
Only you can do this matter.
。
I can only tell you this much.
雨，。
It is raining, so I can only stay at home.
。
Right now we can only wait.
只能 (zhǐ néng) combines 只 (only) with 能 (can), meaning can only or have no choice but to. It expresses a restriction - that the speaker or subject is limited to one course of action. It often carries a sense of reluctant acceptance. Related expressions include 只好 (zhǐ hǎo, have no choice but) and 不得不 (bù dé bù, must, have no option).
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只能: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the Mandarin word "只能" (can only, have no choice but to): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 11.