… ，才 … (only then / only after)
Only then — not before
- Some results come only after a condition is met.
- …，only then / not until才 … = "only then …".
- you你to make an effort努力，talent才能success成功 = "only if you work hard can you succeed."
Condition，only then / not until才 + Result
- only then / not until才 says the result happens only once the condition is done.
you你work hard努力，only then才can能succeed成功。
- you你to make an effort努力，talent才能success成功 = "only if you work hard can you succeed."
Practice
Only if you try can you succeed: 你努力，____ 能成功。
Condition，才 + Result = only then: 你努力,才能成功.
Practice
Build: “Only if you try can you succeed.”
Condition，才 + Result: 你努力 + 才 + 能成功.
only then / not until才 = a necessary condition
- Without the condition, no result — only then / not until才 marks it as required.
Explore
Correct or broken?
…，才 … marks 'only then' — the requirement first, 才 before the delayed result.
Practice
才 marks a condition that is…
才 = a necessary condition; 就 (只要…就…) marks a sufficient one.
Practice
才 in this pattern usually takes 了 at the end.
才 usually takes NO 了 (unlike the 就 / 了 pattern).
Recap
Key idea
- Condition，only then / not until才 + Result — "only then / only after …"
- you你to make an effort努力，talent才能success成功
- only then / not until才 marks a necessary condition (no shortcut)
Read the full reference: HSK 3 grammar — Conditional statements.