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Expressing "as long as" with 只要 (zhǐyào)
HSK 4Condition
Structure
只要 + Condition, 就 + Result
Explanation
只要 (zhǐyào) means "as long as" or "provided that" and introduces a sufficient condition for an outcome. It is often paired with 就 in the result clause to indicate that the outcome will naturally follow. Unlike 只有…才, which stresses necessity, 只要…就 presents the condition as easy or minimal to fulfill.
Examples
只要你喜欢，我就买给你。
Zhǐyào nǐ xǐhuān, wǒ jiù mǎi gěi nǐ.
As long as you like it, I'll buy it for you.
只要天气好，我们就去爬山。
Zhǐyào tiānqì hǎo, wǒmen jiù qù pá shān.
As long as the weather is nice, we'll go hiking.
只要认真准备，考试就不会太难。
Zhǐyào rènzhēn zhǔnbèi, kǎoshì jiù bú huì tài nán.
As long as you prepare seriously, the exam won't be too difficult.