- only have ...
- there is only ...
- (used in combination with 才【cái】) it is only if one ... (that one can ...) (Example: 只有通过治疗才能痊愈【zhǐ yǒu tōng guò zhì liáo cái néng quán yù】 "the only way to cure it is with therapy")
- it is only ... (who ...) (Example: 只有男性才有此需要【zhǐ yǒu nán xìng cái yǒu cǐ xū yào】 "only men would have such a requirement")
- (used to indicate that one has no alternative) one can only (do a certain thing) (Example: 只有屈服【zhǐ yǒu qū fú】 "the only thing you can do is give in")