HSK 7-9 Types of Phrases (Simple Complex Phrase) Simple Complex Phrase Condensed Compound Clauses

Condensed Complex Phrases - 非得……才……

紧缩复句 — 非得……才……

Understand the use of 非得……才…… and their placement in the sentence.

Elements

非得……才……

How to use it

  • For , take a model phrase like 下午两点他才起床 (He only woke up at two o'clock.) and replace only the variable information.
  • Copy a model phrase (下午两点他才起床) and replace the subject/object/time while keeping the same structure.
  • Context: use this structure to describe facts or actions in a complete sentence.

Examples

下午两点他才起床

xiàwǔ liǎng diǎn tā cái qǐchuáng

He only woke up at two o'clock.

我才十八岁

wǒ cái shíbā suì

I am only eighteen years old.

他才来

tā cái lái

He just arrived.

人才

réncái

Talent, talented person.

天才

tiāncái

Genius

Notes and exceptions

  • 才 — Only then: Marks the necessary condition or 'only at that moment.'

Common mistakes

  • Check the order of elements before speaking or writing.
  • Use a complete sentence to validate the structure in a real context.

Practice quiz

Choose the best option for each sentence, then submit to view the correction.

1. 下午两点他____起床

(He only woke up at two o'clock.)

2. 我____十八岁

(I am only eighteen years old.)

3. 他____来

(He just arrived.)

4. 人____

(Talent, talented person.)

5. 天____

(Genius)