Definition
只能 (zhǐ néng) means 'can only' and focuses on a limitation or single option — it's the most neutral and flexible of this group. 不得不 (bù dé bù) and 只好 (zhǐ hǎo) are stronger, emphasizing that you are forced by circumstances with no real alternative; 只得 (zhǐ dé) is a more formal version of 只好. 只能 simply states the only available choice, without the same sense of compulsion.
phrase
can only (expressing limitation or single option)to have no choice but to
Easily confused
- 智能zhì néngsound-alike(noun) intelligence
- 职能zhí néngsound-alikefunction (of an organization, system, or position)
Examples
- ，只能。Wǒ jīntiān méiyǒu qián, zhǐ néng zài jiā chīfàn.I have no money today, so I can only eat at home.
- ，只能。Shíjiān tài wǎn le, nǐ zhǐ néng míngtiān zài lái.It's too late, you can only come again tomorrow.
- ，只能。Tā bù xiǎng zuò, dàn zhǐ néng tóngyì wǒmen de jìhuà.He doesn't want to do it, but he has no choice but to agree to our plan.
Browse more HSK 3 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.