只要...就...

As Long As...then...

Level 3Sounds Like zi2 jiu3 . . . zau6 . . .

只要 (zi2 jiu3) ... 就 (zau6) ...
Meaning: 'As long as [Condition], then [Result].'

How It Works

The 只要...就... (zi2 jiu3... zau6...) structure is the standard way to express 'as long as' in Cantonese. It is used in both casual speech and formal writing.

1. Structure:

  • 只要 (zi2 jiu3) introduces the condition. The subject of the first clause can be placed either before or after 只要 (e.g., 你只要... or 只要你...).
  • 就 (zau6) appears in the second clause (the result).
  • Crucial Rule: The word 就 (zau6) must be placed after the subject and before the verb in the second clause.

2. Nuance:
Unlike a neutral 'if' (如果...就...), 只要 implies that the condition is the only thing needed to make the result happen. It simplifies the situation by focusing on one sufficient factor.

3. Common Additions:
In spoken Cantonese, the result clause often ends with the particle 喇 (laa3) or the phrase 就得喇 (zau6 dak1 laa3) to emphasize that the condition is enough. For example: '只要你肯去就得喇' (zi2 jiu3 nei5 hang2 heoi3 zau6 dak1 laa3) — 'As long as you are willing to go, that's enough/it'll be fine'.

Examples (4)

  1. 只要你肯做，就一定得。

    As long as you are willing to do it, it will definitely work.

    Word by Word: As long as you willing do, then definitely okay.

    Here, 'willing to do it' is the sufficient condition for success.

  2. 只要聽日唔落雨，我就去行山。

    As long as it doesn't rain tomorrow, I will go hiking.

    Word by Word: As long as tomorrow not fall rain, I then go walk mountain.

    The absence of rain is the only condition needed for the speaker to go hiking.

  3. 只要有你喺度，我就放心晒。

    As long as you are here, I am completely at ease.

    Word by Word: As long as have you at here, I then release heart completely.

    The presence of the other person is enough to make the speaker feel safe. 晒 (saai3) adds the meaning of 'completely'.

  4. 只要努力，就一定會成功。

    As long as you work hard, you will definitely succeed.

    Word by Word: As long as diligent, then definitely will success.

    This is a common encouraging phrase. Note that the subject 'you' can be omitted if it is understood from context.

Common Mistakes

  • Omitting the word '就' (zau6) in the second clause.

    只要你努力，會成功。
    只要你努力，就會成功。

    就 (zau6) is normally used in the second clause. You can leave it out when another adverb such as 一定 carries the link, but while learning it is safest to include it.

  • Misplacing '就' (zau6) before the subject.

    只要你嚟，就我就開心。
    只要你嚟，我就開心。

    就 (zau6) is an adverb and must come after the subject (我) and before the verb/adjective (開心).

  • Confusing 'sufficient' with 'necessary' conditions.

    只要你係香港人，先至可以申請。
    只有你係香港人，先至可以申請。

    If something is the only way to get a result (a necessary condition), you must use 只有...先至... (zi2 jau5... sin1 zi3...). 只要 (zi2 jiu3) is for when a condition is 'enough' but not necessarily the only way.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

只要...就...Level 3As Long As...then...

Learn This First

To understand '只要...就...' (as long as... then...), you first need to be comfortable with basic conditional structures using '就' to link two clauses. It is also helpful to understand modal verbs like '肯' (willing) or '要' (need), as these often form the 'sufficient condition' part of the sentence.

Words in This Pattern