只要 (zhǐyào) — as long as
HSK 3 | conjunction | as long as, provided that — states the minimum condition for a result
只要 (zhǐyào)
只要 states the minimum or sole condition needed for a result to follow. It is paired with 就 (jiù) in the second clause, forming a pattern that says: "as long as X, then Y will follow."
Meanings
- [conjunction] As long as; provided that; if only.
Example Sentences
只要努力，就会成功。 Zhǐyào nǔlì, jiù huì chénggōng. As long as you work hard, you will succeed.
只要你来，我就高兴。 Zhǐyào nǐ lái, wǒ jiù gāoxìng. As long as you come, I'll be happy.
只要有时间，我就去看你。 Zhǐyào yǒu shíjiān, wǒ jiù qù kàn nǐ. As long as I have time, I'll come see you.
只要坚持每天练习，你的口语就会变好。 Zhǐyào jiānchí měitiān liànxí, nǐ de kǒuyǔ jiù huì biàn hǎo. As long as you keep practicing every day, your spoken Chinese will improve.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 只要…就… | as long as…then… |
| 只要可以 | as long as possible |
| 只要一个条件 | only one condition needed |
| 只要你愿意 | as long as you are willing |
| 只要努力 | as long as you work hard |
Memory Hook
只 (only) plus 要 (want/require): "only require this one thing" — the minimum condition that opens the door to the result.