- only have ...; there is only ...
- (used in combination with 才【cái】) it is only if ... (that one can ...) (as in 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 (someone) who ... (as in 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 express lack of alternatives) can only; have no choice but to (as in 只有屈服【zhǐ yǒu qū fú】 "the only thing you can do is give in")