只要 zhǐ yào
“if only; so long as”
conjunctionHSK 4 · 2021 list level 2
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
只要 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 978: 只要 zhǐyào — Level 3; official annotation 3 (连). PDF page 104
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 只要
只要 (zhǐ yào) means "as long as" or "so long as." It introduces a condition that is enough to make the result happen. The typical pattern is 只要…就…, where 就 appears in the result clause.
例句Example sentences
- 只要你有时间，我们就一起去。zhǐ yào nǐ yǒu shí jiān, wǒ men jiù yì qǐ qù.As long as you have time, we'll go together.
- 只要努力，你一定会成功。zhǐ yào nǔ lì, nǐ yí dìng huì chéng gōng.As long as you work hard, you will definitely succeed.
- 只要天气好，我就去公园跑步。zhǐ yào tiān qì hǎo, wǒ jiù qù gōng yuán pǎo bù.As long as the weather is good, I go running in the park.
常见错误Common mistakes
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✗只要你努力，才能成功。
✓只要你努力，就能成功。
只要 pairs with 就, not 才; 才 is used with 只有.
易混词Easily confused
只要vs只有
只有…才… marks a necessary condition ("only if"); 只要…就… marks a sufficient condition ("as long as"). Learners often mix the two patterns.