Expressing “only if” With “只有……才”

只有zhǐyǒu means “only if” and it used with “才cái” to emphasize that only one course of action will bring about the desired outcome. 只有zhǐyǒu  A，才cái  B = Without A, B can't happen. A is the only way to make B happen.

只有+ Essential Condition，才 +Desired Outcome

Zhǐyǒu duō shuō, nǐ de zhōngwén cái huì tígāo.

只有多说，你的 中文才会提高。

Only if you speak more will your Chinese improve.

Wǒ rènwéi zhǐyǒu jiéhūn, cái néng gěi háizi yīgè hǎo de shēnghuó huánjìng.

我认为只有结婚，才能给孩子一个好的生活环境。

I think only if they get married, they can provide a good living environment for children.