(zhǐ yào) - as long as, provided that, if only in Mandarin
zhǐyàoTraditional: 只要
Translation
as long as, provided that, if only
Word origin
只要 (zhǐyào) 'as long as, provided that' joins 只 (zhǐ, 'only') and 要 (yào, 'to want, need'). 要 was originally a pictograph of a person with hands at the waist (the waist sense survives in 腰), later 'to want, require'.
- Origin
- compound
- Root
- 只 (zhǐ, 'only') + 要 (yào, pictograph of a waist, 'to want')
Stroke order
只
要
Examples
。
As long as you come, it's fine.
。
As long as you work hard, you can succeed.
。
As long as you are happy, that's fine.
，。
As long as you are willing, I will help you.
。
As long as you try hard, you will succeed.
只要 (zhǐ yào) means as long as, provided that, if only. It is used as a conjunction in everyday Mandarin speech.
Where this fits
Used in
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只要: worksheet, infographic and listicle
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Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 6.