只要... 就/都可以...
Reach for this when one minimum condition is enough to guarantee an outcome — 'as long as X, then Y is fine / Y works / Y is allowed.' The 只要 sets a floor (the only thing required) and 就可以 or 都可以 in the second half says 'that's already sufficient.' It's the structure for permissive advice ('as long as you're happy, anything goes'), generous offers, and policy descriptions. 就可以 focuses on one resulting outcome; 都可以 sweeps over 'any option' as the outcome.
Structure
只要 [CONDITION]，[SUBJECT] 就/都可以 [RESULT/ACTION]
zhǐyào... jiù/dōu kěyǐ...
How to Think About It
只要 means 'as long as only this is true' — it's the sufficiency marker. Pair it with 就 when there's one clear consequence, with 都 when 'anything counts' as the consequence. The key contrast with 如果: 如果 says 'IF X, then Y' (X may or may not be true); 只要 says 'X is the MINIMUM needed for Y, and that minimum is low.' It's reassuring and permissive, not hypothetical.
Examples
只要你觉得开心，做什么都可以。
Zhǐyào nǐ juéde kāixīn, zuò shénme dōu kěyǐ.
As long as you feel happy, anything you do is fine.
只要交了钱，你就可以进去。
Zhǐyào jiāo le qián, nǐ jiù kěyǐ jìnqù.
As long as you've paid, you can go in.
只要是你喜欢的，我都可以做。
Zhǐyào shì nǐ xǐhuān de, wǒ dōu kěyǐ zuò.
As long as it's something you like, I can do it.
Common Mistake
Learners pair 只要 with 才 instead of 就, because 才 also means 'then.' 才 actually flips the logic — 'only then' (Y requires X as a strict gate). 只要 wants 就/都 (low bar, easy yes); 只有 wants 才 (high bar, only condition).
只要你高兴，做什么才可以。
只要你高兴，做什么都可以。
Don't Confuse With
只有...才...
Opposite logic. 只有 says X is the ONLY condition that works ('only if X, then Y'); 只要 says X is ENOUGH ('as long as X, then Y'). 只有 raises the bar; 只要 lowers it.
如果...就...
Neutral conditional — X may or may not be true, and IF it is, Y. Use 只要 when you're emphasizing how easy the condition is; use 如果 for neutral hypotheticals.
不管...都...
'No matter what X, Y' — drops the condition entirely. Use 不管 when Y holds regardless of any variable; use 只要 when Y holds AS LONG AS one specific minimum is met.
Practice
Fill in: ___你觉得开心，做什么都可以。
Show answer
只要
Fill in: 只要交了钱，你___可以进去。
Show answer
就
Arrange: 都 / 是 / 我 / 只要 / 喜欢的 / 你 / 可以 / 做 / ，
Show answer
只要是你喜欢的，我都可以做。
Translate: As long as the weather is good, we can go.
Show answer
只要天气好，我们就可以去。
Write one sentence using 只要... 都可以... to make a generous offer.
Show answer
只要你想学，我都可以教你。
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode: