只有 (zhǐ yǒu) — only have ...; there is only ...

What does 只有 mean?

只有 (zhǐ yǒu) has the following dictionary meaning.

1only have ...; there is only ...

2(used in combination with 才[cai2]) it is only if ... (that one can ...) (as in 只有通過治療才能痊愈|只有通过治疗才能痊愈[zhi3 you3 tong1 guo4 zhi4 liao2 cai2 neng2 quan2 yu4] "the only way to cure it is with therapy")

3it is only (someone) who ... (as in 只有男性才有此需要[zhi3 you3 nan2 xing4 cai2 you3 ci3 xu1 yao4] "only men would have such a requirement")

4(used to express lack of alternatives) can only; have no choice but to (as in 只有屈服[zhi3 you3 qu1 fu2] "the only thing you can do is give in")

Character breakdown

Open each character to see its own meanings and vocabulary links.

只zhīvariant of 隻|只[zhi1]有yǒuto have; there is · (bound form) having; with; -ful; -ed; -al (as in 有意[you3 yi4] intentional)

Reviewed examples

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How to pronounce 只有

只有

zhǐ yǒu

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Related Chinese words and expressions

More linked vocabulary

只zhīvariant of 隻|只[zhi1]只zhǐonly; merely; just 只zhǐvariant of 只[zhi3]只zhīgrain that has begun to ripen 只zhǐvariant of 只[zhi3]只zhīclassifier for birds and certain animals, one of a pair, some utensils, vessels etc 只好zhǐ hǎoto have no other option but to ...; to have to; to be forced to 只得zhǐ déto have no alternative but to; to be obliged to 只怕zhǐ pàI'm afraid that...只是zhǐ shìmerely; only; just; nothing but 只消zhǐ xiāoto only need 只当zhǐ dàng(coll.) to take (sth) as …; to treat as …; to assume; to act as if …