只要

• Pinyin: zhǐ yào
• Hanzi breakdown: 只 = 口 (mouth) + 八; 要 = 覀 (cover) + 女 (woman), meaning 'need/want'

Meaning

As long as; provided that. A conjunction introducing a sufficient condition for a result.

Often paired with 就 in the pattern 只要...就... to express 'as long as X, then Y.' Emphasizes that the condition is minimal or easy to meet. Different from 只有 (only if), which implies a necessary condition.

Examples

1. 只要你努力，就一定能成功。 As long as you work hard, you will definitely succeed.
2. 只要天气好，我们就去爬山。 As long as the weather is good, we'll go hiking.
3. 只要有时间，我就会去看你。 Whenever I have time, I'll go visit you.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, encouraging

Tone: conditional

Do Say

• 只要你来，我就高兴。(As long as you come, I'll be happy.)
• 只要坚持就会有进步。(As long as you persist, you'll make progress.)

Don't Say

• 只要我去了商店，但是没买东西。(Don't use 只要 to narrate a past event — it introduces a condition. Say 虽然我去了商店，但是没买东西.)

Origin & History

Compound of 只 (only) and 要 (to need/want), literally 'only needing.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal