只能 zhǐ néng
“can only; obliged to do sth; to have no other choice”
verb2021 list level 2
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
只能 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 976: 只能 zhǐnéng — Level 3; official annotation 3. PDF page 104
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 只能
只能 (zhǐ néng) means 'can only' or 'have no choice but to' and is placed before a verb phrase. It can occur with sentence-final 了 to convey a sense of restriction, as in 只能这样了. Do not use it directly before a noun; for 'only have/there is only + noun,' use 只有 or 只 + 有.
例句Example sentences
- 今天下雨，我们只能待在家里。jīn tiān xià yǔ, wǒ men zhǐ néng dài zài jiā lǐ.It's raining today, so we can only stay at home.
- 没有别的办法，只能明天再试。méi yǒu bié de bàn fǎ, zhǐ néng míng tiān zài shì.There is no other way; we can only try again tomorrow.
- 他生病了，只能请假休息。tā shēng bìng le, zhǐ néng qǐng jià xiū xi.He is sick and can only ask for leave and rest.
易混词Easily confused
只能vs只
只 can mean 'only' before a verb (只知道) or in the pattern 只 + 有 + noun (只有一个苹果). 只能 is followed by a verb phrase and stresses that there is no other choice.