Chinese word

只能

Pronunciation

Pinyinzhǐ néng

Meaning

  • adverbcan only

Example

现在我只能等。xiàn zài wǒ zhǐ néng děng

Now I can only wait.

Illustration for 只能 (can only)

More examples

夜里太黑，别走快，我们只能慢慢走回家。yè lǐ tài hēi bié zǒu kuài wǒ men zhǐ néng màn màn zǒu huí jiā

It's too dark at night, so don't walk fast; we can only walk slowly home.

Core concept

A narrow path remains after other choices are closed, so one action or result is the only possible one.

Common phrases

  • 只能这样zhǐ néng zhè yàng

    can only do this

  • 只能慢慢走zhǐ néng màn màn zǒu

    can only walk slowly

Similar words

只zhǐ: Means only a certain amount, group, or range, with nothing beyond it.
只有zhí yǒu: Indicates that an action or result is possible only under a certain condition.
只好zhí hǎo: Shows reluctant acceptance of an action when no better option remains.
不得不bù dé bù: Indicates that a person must act because avoiding the action is impossible.

Definition in Chinese

表示在主观或客观限制下没有其他办法，不得不做某事或者接受某一结果。biǎo shì zài zhǔ guān huò kè guān xiàn zhì xià méi yǒu qí tā bàn fǎ bù dé bú zuò mǒu shì huò zhě jiē shòu mǒu yì jié guǒ

Word origin

只能 (zhǐnéng, "can only") combines 只 (zhǐ, "only") with 能 (néng, "can"), narrowing what is possible to one option.

Usage tips

  • English can only often describes a limit on ability, while this Chinese adverb often shows that circumstances leave no workable alternative.

Other meanings

  • have no choice but toadverb

Word lists with this word