只要…就…
HSK 3- Conditionals
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
只要…就… is used to express a sufficient condition, meaning "as long as the first clause holds, the second clause will follow."
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
This structure expresses a sufficient condition. 只要 (as long as / all you need is) states a minimum condition, and 就 (then) states the result that will certainly follow once that condition is met.
It emphasizes that satisfying the condition in the first clause is enough — nothing else is required. The second clause typically expresses a positive or predictable outcome.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 只要你努力，就能学好汉语。繁: 只要你努力，就能學好漢語。Zhǐyào nǐ nǔlì, jiù néng xué hǎo hànyǔ.
As long as you work hard, you will be able to learn Chinese well.
- 只要不下雨，我们就去公园。繁: 只要不下雨，我們就去公園。Zhǐyào bú xià yǔ, wǒmen jiù qù gōngyuán.
As long as it doesn't rain, we will go to the park.
- 只要有时间，我就给你打电话。繁: 只要有時間，我就給你打電話。Zhǐyào yǒu shíjiān, wǒ jiù gěi nǐ dǎ diànhuà.
As long as I have time, I will call you.
- 只要是妈妈做的菜，我都喜欢。繁: 只要是媽媽做的菜，我都喜歡。Zhǐyào shì māma zuò de cài, wǒ dōu xǐhuān.
As long as it's food that mom cooks, I like any of it.
- 只要身体健康，比什么都好。繁: 只要身體健康，比什麼都好。Zhǐyào shēntǐ jiànkāng, bǐ shénme dōu hǎo.
As long as you have good health, it is better than anything else.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:只要你来，我很高兴。Correct:只要你来，我就很高兴。
In this structure, 就 is required to connect the condition with the result and cannot be omitted.
- Wrong:只要努力学习，才考得好。Correct:只有努力学习，才考得好。
只要 goes with 就 to indicate a sufficient condition. When expressing a sole/necessary condition, use 只有 with 才.