只有…才
zhǐyǒu…cái
Only one door is open, and only through it
The picture A wall of doors with just one unlocked, and only the person who comes through it gets a seat inside. 只要…就 says one thing is enough; 只有…才 says without that one thing, nothing moves.
Where the picture shows up in 只有…才
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The counter only you can use
只有本人来，才能领这个包裹。
zhǐyǒu běnrén lái, cái néng lǐng zhège bāoguǒ
Only the recipient in person can collect this parcel.
a clerk looking from the ID to the face and back before handing the box over
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Only once permission comes
只有医生同意，你才可以出院。
zhǐyǒu yīshēng tóngyì, nǐ cái kěyǐ chūyuàn
You can only be discharged once the doctor agrees.
a patient with bags packed sitting on the bed, waiting for a signature
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The door only this key opens
这个门只有用这把钥匙才打得开。
zhège mén zhǐyǒu yòng zhè bǎ yàoshi cái dǎ de kāi
This door only opens with this key.
keys tried one by one until the handle finally turns for a single one
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Seats only for those who booked
只有提前预约的客人才有座位。
zhǐyǒu tíqián yùyuē de kèrén cái yǒu zuòwèi
Only guests who booked ahead have a table.
a name checked against the list at the door before anyone is led inside
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This way and no other
只有这样做，问题才能解决。
zhǐyǒu zhèyàng zuò, wèntí cái néng jiějué
Only by doing it this way will the problem be solved.
options crossed off a sheet one by one until a circle is drawn around the last one
All of it in one picture
只有…才 is one open door. The parcel reaches your hands only when you come in person; the hospital door opens only once the doctor agrees. The lock that turns for a single key, the seat kept for people who booked, the conclusion that this is the only way — all the same narrow door.