只能

zhǐ néng
HSK 2Adverb (副)

Basic Meaning

adv
Expresses a limitation or lack of alternatives. Often used in response to a restriction or problem, and can carry a tone of helplessness or resignation.
can only; have no choice but to
只能够；只可以。
Words:
只能如此只能这样
Synonyms:
只得只好
Antonyms:
不能不可不许
Sentences:
  1. 票(piào)卖(mài)完(wán)了(le)，我(wǒ)们(men)只(zhǐ)能(néng)等(děng)下(xià)一(yī)场(chǎng)了(le)。
    The tickets are sold out, so we can only wait for the next showing.
  2. 他(tā)没(méi)时(shí)间(jiān)，所(suǒ)以(yǐ)只(zhǐ)能(néng)这(zhè)样(yàng)匆(cōng)匆(cōng)见(jiàn)一(yī)面(miàn)。
    He doesn't have time, so we can only meet briefly like this.
  3. 实(shí)在(zài)没(méi)别(bié)的(de)办(bàn)法(fǎ)，我(wǒ)也(yě)只(zhǐ)能(néng)如(rú)此(cǐ)。
    There's really no other way, so I have no choice but to do this.

Characters Breakdown

HSK 2
zhī zhǐ只

[measure word for small things]

HSK 1
néng能

can; be able to