除非 chúfēi…才 cái… and 除非 chúfēi…否則 fǒuzé… come from the same root — both name a single exception — but they point in opposite directions. 才 cái says “this is the only way it happens.” 否則 fǒuzé says “this is what happens if it doesn’t.”
1 Structure
除非 chúfēi + Condition，才 cái + Result
才 cái sits directly in front of the verb in the result clause, right after its subject — never at the very start of the clause. It marks that the result is only unlocked by the condition named in the 除非 chúfēi clause.
除非你答應我，我才和你一起去。除非你答应我，我才和你一起去。
Only if you promise me will I go with you.
除非你幫我加薪，我才可能繼續在這裡工作。除非你帮我加薪，我才可能继续在这里工作。
Only if you give me a raise will I be able to keep working here.
除非你拿到大學文憑，才有機會找到好工作。除非你拿到大学文凭，才有机会找到好工作。
Only if you get a college diploma will you have a chance at a good job.
除非天下紅雨，我才可能原諒你。除非天下红雨，我才可能原谅你。
Only if it rains red from the sky will I possibly forgive you.
Fun Fact
天下紅雨 tiānxià hóngyǔ, “red rain falling from the sky,” is a Taiwanese exaggeration for “never gonna happen” — the local cousin of “when pigs fly.” Slot it after 除非 and you’ve turned “only if” into “not a chance.”
除非你努力學習，才有可能考上好大學。除非你努力学习，才有可能考上好大学。
Only if you study hard is it possible to get into a good university.
除非你有簽證，我才能幫你介紹工作。除非你有签证，我才能帮你介绍工作。
Only if you have a visa can I refer you for jobs.
除非你說「請」，我才會把鹽遞給你。除非你说「请」，我才会把盐递给你。
Only if you say “please” will I pass you the salt.
除非我手機沒電了，我才會放下它。除非我手机没电了，我才会放下它。
Only if my phone battery dies will I actually put it down.
2 Common Mistakes
Most errors come from mixing this structure with its sibling, 除非 chúfēi…否則 fǒuzé…, or from placing 才 cái in the wrong spot.
❌
除非你道歉，否則我才原諒你。除非你道歉，否则我才原谅你。
✅
除非你道歉，我才原諒你。除非你道歉，我才原谅你。
否則 fǒuzé and 才 cái both already signal how the result depends on the condition, so pairing them stacks two connectors doing the same job. Pick one system: 除非 chúfēi…否則 fǒuzé… for “unless, otherwise,” or 除非 chúfēi…才 cái… for “only if.”
❌
除非你努力，才你會成功。除非你努力，才你会成功。
✅
除非你努力，你才會成功。除非你努力，你才会成功。
才 cái is an adverb, not a connector like 否則 fǒuzé — it has to sit after the subject and right before the verb it’s modifying, never at the very front of the clause.
3 除非除非 chúfēi…才才 cái… vs 除非除非 chúfēi…否則否则 fǒuzé…
Same condition word, opposite framing — one describes the path to something good, the other warns about what happens without it.
|
除非除非 chúfēi…才才 cái… |
除非除非 chúfēi…否則否则 fǒuzé… |
| English gloss |
“Only if… then…” |
“Unless… otherwise…” |
| The result clause is |
What will happen — usually something wanted |
What happens by default — usually something unwanted |
| Where the clue word sits |
才 cái: after the subject, right before the verb |
否則/不然/要不然: alone, at the start of the result clause |
| Example |
除非你道歉，我才原諒你。除非你道歉，我才原谅你。 |
除非你道歉，否則我不會原諒你。除非你道歉，否则我不会原谅你。 |
4 Practice
Translate each sentence into Chinese, then tap the card to check your answer.
01Only if you finish your homework can you watch TV.
除非你做完功課，你才能看電視。除非你做完作业，你才能看电视。
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02Only if it’s a national holiday will the store be closed.
除非是國定假日，商店才會關門。除非是国定假日，商店才会关门。
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03Only if you apologize sincerely will she forgive you.
除非你誠心道歉，她才會原諒你。除非你诚心道歉，她才会原谅你。
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04Only if I finish this report can I go home.
除非我做完這份報告，我才能回家。除非我做完这份报告，我才能回家。
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05Only if you have experience will they hire you.
除非你有經驗，他們才會錄取你。除非你有经验，他们才会录取你。
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06Only if the sun rises in the west will I believe him. (i.e. never)
除非太陽從西邊出來，我才會相信他。除非太阳从西边出来，我才会相信他。
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07Only if you buy the ticket early can you get a discount.
除非你早點買票，才能拿到折扣。除非你早点买票，才能拿到折扣。
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08Only if both sides agree can the contract be signed.
除非雙方都同意，合約才能簽署。除非双方都同意，合约才能签署。
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09Only if you call ahead will the restaurant hold a table for you.
除非你事先打電話，餐廳才會幫你留位子。除非你事先打电话，餐厅才会帮你留位子。
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10Only if you drink coffee in the morning can you function at work.
除非你早上喝咖啡，你才能好好上班。除非你早上喝咖啡，你才能好好上班。
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