Condition only if 才 cái Grammar

Grammar Point:
In Chinese grammar, 才 cái is used to express the meaning of “only if” or “only when.” When used with 如果 rúguǒ, it implies that a certain condition must be met before the result or consequence in the main clause can happen. However, meeting the certain condition doesn’t guarantee that the result or consequence will happen.

Structure

如果 rúguǒ ··· + 才 cái ···

The “if” clause is necessary but not the only requirement for the speaker. Also, “如果 rúguǒ” can be replaced by other “if” synonyms, such as “要是 yàoshìyàoshi,” “萬一万一 wànyī,” and “的話的话 dehuà.”

如果rúguǒ你nǐ會huì說shuō中文zhōngwén， 才cái有yǒu機會jīhuì在zài中國Zhōngguó工作gōngzuò如果rúguǒ你nǐ会huì说shuō中文zhōngwén， 才cái有yǒu机会jīhuì在zài中国Zhōngguó工作gōngzuò
Only if you can speak Chinese, then you have a chance to work in China.

要是yàoshì我wǒ下班xiàbān下xià得de早zǎo， 我wǒ就jiù能néng去qù看kàn電影diànyǐng要是yàoshi我wǒ下班xiàbān下xià得de早zǎo， 我wǒ就jiù能néng去qù看kàn电影diànyǐng
Only if I get off work early will I be able to go see a movie.

我wǒ晚上wǎnshàng不bú睡覺shuìjiào的話dehuà， 才cái有yǒu可能kěnéng完成wánchéng這個zhège報告bàogào我wǒ晚上wǎnshàng不bú睡觉shuìjiào的话dehuà， 才cái有yǒu可能kěnéng完成wánchéng这个zhège报告bàogào
Only if I don’t sleep at night, will I have a chance to finish this report.

要是yàoshì今天jīntiān不bú下雨xiàyǔ， 才cái可以kěyǐ去qù爬山páshāng要是yàoshi今天jīntiān不bú下雨xiàyǔ， 才cái可以kěyǐ去qù爬山páshāng
We can only go hiking if it doesn’t rain today.

如果rúguǒ10 年nián後hòu我wǒ還是háishì沒méi成功chénggōng， 我wǒ才cái會huì放棄fàngqì我的wǒde夢想mèngxiǎng如果rúguǒ10 年nián后hòu我wǒ还是háishì没méi成功chénggōng， 我wǒ才cái会huì放弃fàngqì我的wǒde夢想mèngxiǎng
Only if I still haven’t succeeded in 10 years, then I will give up on my dreams.

你nǐ先xiān把bǎ錢qián還huán給gěi我wǒ的話dehuà， 我wǒ才cái可能kěnéng再zài借jiè你nǐ錢qián你nǐ先xiān把bǎ钱qián还huán给gěi我wǒ的话dehuà， 我wǒ才cái可能kěnéng再zài借jiè你nǐ钱qián
Only if you return the money first, then I may lend you money again.

• When the “if” clause is necessary and the only requirement for the speaker, you need to use 就 jiù.

Practice

TouchHover over the space to see the answers.

✔️ I will only go only if you go.

如果rúguǒ你nǐ去qù我wǒ才cái去qù如果rúguǒ你nǐ去qù我wǒ才cái去qù

✔️ I’ll buy it only if you agree.

要是yàoshì你nǐ同意tóngyì我wǒ才cái買mǎi要是yàoshi你nǐ同意tóngyì我wǒ才cái买mǎi

✔️ I’ll only say it if you promise not to tell anyone.

要是yàoshì你nǐ保證bǎozhèng不bú告訴gàosù別人biérén， 我wǒ才cái說shuō要是yàoshi你nǐ保证bǎozhèng不bú告诉gàosu别人biérén， 我wǒ才cái说shuō

Other 才 cái related posts:

• 才 cái Chinese Grammar