“As long as” with 只要 (zhǐyào) An English guide to “As long as” with 只要 (zhǐyào), with structures, examples, and practical usage notes.
1 min read · 118 words · Published Sep 22, 2026
Overview
This English reference introduces ““As long as” with 只要 (zhǐyào)” and focuses on the information most useful when reading Chinese.
Structure
只要 + condition + (subject) + 就 + verb phrase
Examples
This section collects practical observations for recognizing the pattern in context.
只 zhǐ 要 yào 你 nǐ 问 wèn 她 tā ， 她 tā 就 jiù 会 huì 帮 bāng 你 nǐ 。
Just ask her, and she will help you.
只 zhǐ 要 yào 给 gěi 饭 fàn 店 diàn 打 dǎ 一 yí 个 ge 电 diàn 话 huà ， 他 tā 们 men 就 jiù 能 néng 送 sòng 过 guò 来 lái 。
Just give the restaurant a call, and they can deliver it.
只 zhǐ 要 yào 能 néng 用 yòng 手 shǒu 机 jī 地 dì 图 tú ， 我 wǒ 们 men 就 jiù 能 néng 找 zhǎo 到 dào 那 nà 里 lǐ 。
As long as we can use maps on the phone, we will be able to find it.
Usage notes
Comparing 只要 + 就 and 只有 + 才
Use this note to compare the pattern with the surrounding words while reading.
只 zhǐ 有 yǒu 吃 chī 这 zhè 种 zhǒng 药 yào ， 你 nǐ 的 de 病 bìng 才 cái 能 néng 好 hǎo 。
Only by taking this medicine can your illness be cured.
只 zhǐ 要 yào 吃 chī 这 zhè 种 zhǒng 药 yào ， 你 nǐ 的 de 病 bìng 就 jiù 能 néng 好 hǎo 。
As long as you take this medicine, your illness can be cured.
Related grammar points
