zi2 dak1只得

Jyutpingzi2 dak1

Yalejí dāk

副詞Common

Definition

Can only; to have no choice but to, or used to express a necessary condition.

can only; to have no choice but to
only if; a necessary condition typically followed by "先" or "先至"

colloquialdaily actions

How it's used

This construction functions as a conditional marker that emphasizes a strict prerequisite. It is almost always paired with 先 or 先至 to highlight that the following action or result is contingent upon the condition being met. While it can mean 'only' in a quantitative sense, its most common role is setting up this 'if and only if' logic in spoken sentences.

Examples

nei5你zi2只dak1得zou6做jyun4完gung1功fo3課sin1先ho2可ji5以heoi3去wun6玩。

You can only go play after you finish your homework.

zi2只dak1得nei5你hang2肯bong1幫ngo5我，ngo5我sin1先zi3至jau5有gau3救。

Only if you are willing to help me can I be saved.

Common phrases

zi2只dak1得gam3咁joeng2樣

only this way

zi2只dak1得nei5你

only you

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with 只有, which is more commonly used for simple possession or quantity. Using 只得 to mean 'only have' in a non-conditional context can sound slightly unnatural or literary compared to the more common 淨係 or 得.