Word: 才 (cái)

多吃蔬菜，孩子才能长得茁壮。

Duō chī shūcài, háizi cái néng zhǎng de zhuózhuàng.

Eat more vegetables, and the child will grow up healthy and strong.

多运动，体力才会越来越好。

Duō yùndòng, tǐlì cái huì yuèláiyuè hǎo.

Exercise more, and your physical strength will keep getting better.

多运动才能抵抗疾病。

Duō yùndòng cái néng dǐkàng jíbìng.

You have to exercise more to fight off illness.

多运动才能让血脉畅通。

Duō yùndòng cái néng ràng xuèmài chàngtōng.

You have to exercise more to keep your blood vessels clear.

多音字得看句子才会读对。

Duōyīnzì děi kàn jùzi cái huì dú duì.

With characters that have multiple readings, you have to look at the sentence to read them correctly.

夜市的商贩十点才收摊。

Yèshì de shāngfàn shí diǎn cái shōutān.

The traders at the night market don't close up until ten.

大地震发生的时候，我才十岁。

Dà dìzhèn fāshēng de shíhou, wǒ cái shí suì.

When the big earthquake occurred, I was just ten.

大才必有大用

dà cái bì yǒu dà yòng

great talent will surely have great use

她头痛了好几天，才去求医。

Tā tóutòng le hǎo jǐtiān, cái qù qiúyī.

Her head ached for several days before she finally went to see a doctor.

她掏了半天才找到钥匙。

Tā tāo le bàntiān cái zhǎodào yàoshi.

She fished around for a long time before finding her keys.

好好学习，将来才有出息。

Hǎohǎoxuéxí, jiānglái cái yǒu chūxi.

Study hard, and you'll have a bright future.

好容易才找到停车的地方。

Hǎoróngyì cái zhǎodào tíngchē de dìfang.

I finally found a place to park, but only with great difficulty.

好的感情才能持久。

Hǎo de gǎnqíng cái néng chíjiǔ.

Only a good relationship can last long.

小公司依附大企业才能生存。

Xiǎo gōngsī yīfù dà qǐyè cái néng shēngcún.

Small companies can only survive by attaching themselves to big firms.

希望别破妈妈发现才好。

Xīwàng bié pò māma fāxiàn cái hǎo.

I hope Mom doesn't find out.

常复习才能巩固知识。

Cháng fùxí cái néng gǒnggù zhīshi.

Only by reviewing often can you consolidate what you've learned.

干部为民办事，才有威信。

Gànbù wèi mínbàn shì, cái yǒu wēixìn.

Officials earn the people's respect only by working for them.

当家才知柴米价，养儿方晓父母恩

dāngjiā cái zhī cháimǐ jià, yǎngr fāng xiǎo fùmǔ ēn

only running the household do you learn the price of firewood and rice; only raising a child do you know parents' kindness

形式是暂时的，等级才是永恒的。

Xíngshì shì zànshí de, děngjí cái shì yǒnghéng de.

Form is temporary, class is permanent.

心中有仁，才会关心别人。

Xīnzhōng yǒu rén, cái huì guānxīn biéren.

Only with benevolence in your heart will you care about others.

怎么才能减少病虫害呢？

Zěnme cái néng jiǎnshǎo bìngchónghài ne?

How can we reduce plant diseases and pests?

怎样才能增强免疫力呢？

Zěnyàng cái néng zēngqiáng miǎnyìlì ne?

How can we strengthen our immune system?

怎样才能弘扬中华文化呢？

Zěnyàng cái néng hóngyáng Zhōnghuá wénhuà ne?

How can we promote Chinese culture?

怎样才能弥补这次的损失？

Zěnyàng cái néng míbǔ zhècì de sǔnshī?

How can we make up for this loss?

怎样才能振兴传统手工艺？

Zěnyàng cái néng zhènxīng chuántǒng shǒugōngyì?

How can traditional handicrafts be revived?

怎样才能提高公司的竞争力？

Zěnyàng cái néng tígāo gōngsī de jìngzhēnglì?

How can we raise the company's competitiveness?

怎样才能提高工作效益？

Zěnyàng cái néng tígāo gōngzuò xiàoyì?

How can we improve our work efficiency?

怎样才能提高爆发力？

Zěnyàng cái néng tígāo bàofālì?

How can I improve my explosive power?

怎样才能杜绝考试作弊？

Zěnyàng cái néng dùjué kǎoshì zuòbì?

How can cheating on exams be eliminated?

怎样才能破除心里的偏见呢？

Zěnyàng cái néng pòchú xīnli de piānjiàn ne?

How can one get rid of the prejudice in one's heart?

怎样才能走出生活的泥潭？

Zěnyàng cái néng zǒuchū shēnghuó de nítán?

How can one climb out of the quagmire of life?

怎样才能避免冤案发生？

Zěnyàng cái néng bìmiǎn yuān'àn fāshēng?

How can wrongful convictions be avoided?

怎样才能避免这类争端？

Zěnyàng cái néng bìmiǎn zhè lèi zhēngduān?

How can we avoid this kind of conflict?

怎样才能防止沙漠化？

Zěnyàng cái néng fángzhǐ shāmòhuà?

How can desertification be prevented?

怎样才能防治虫害？

Zěnyàng cái néng fángzhì chónghài?

How can we control insect pests?

怎样才能预防感冒引起的并发症？

Zěnyàng cái néng yùfáng gǎnmào yǐnqǐ de bìngfāzhèng?

How can we prevent the complications caused by a cold?

急需用钱时，我才会动用存款。

Jíxū yòngqian shí, wǒ cái huì dòngyòng cúnkuǎn.

I only dip into my savings when I urgently need money.

患难时才看得出人的本色。

Huànnàn shí cái kàndechū rén de běnsè.

It is only in hard times that you see a person's true character.

我不知道怎么做才能结束这个月。

Wǒ bù zhīdào zěnme zuò cái néng jiéshù zhège yuè.

I do not know what to do to get through this month.

我们一共才有两百块钱，完全不够。

Wǒmen yígòng cái yǒu liǎng bǎi kuài qián, wánquán búgòu.

Altogether we've only got two hundred kuai. It's nowhere near enough.

我们一共才有500块钱，完全不够。

Wǒmen yígòng cái yǒu wǔbǎi kuài qián, wánquán búgòu.

Altogether we've only got 500 bucks - it's not enough at all.

我们十点上课，可是她十一点才来。

Wǒmen shí diǎn shàngkè, kěshì tā shíyīdiǎn cái lái.

We start class at 10, but she didn't arrive until 11.

我们必须团结起来才能战胜敌人。

Wǒmen bìxū tuánjié qǐlai cái néng zhànshèng dírén.

We need to band together to beat the enemy.

我们怎样才能停止战争？

Wǒmen zěnyàng cái néng tíngzhǐ zhànzhēng?

How can we abolish war?

我们怎样才能将其付出实践？

Wǒmen zěnyàng cái néng jiāng qí fùchū shíjiàn?

How can we put it into practice?

我们怎样才能找到它？

Wǒmen zěnyàng cái néng zhǎodào tā?

How do we find it?

我们才一到家就下起雨来了。

Wǒmen cái yí dào jiā jiù xià qǐ yǔ láile.

Hardly had we come home when it began to rain.

我们花了一个半钟头才做完。

Wǒmen huāle yígèbàn zhōngtóu cái zuò wán.

We spent an hour and a half getting it done.

我们花了五个小时才爬到高峰。

Wǒmen huāle wǔ gè xiǎoshí cái pá dào gāofēng.

It took us five hours to climb to the peak.

我刚刚才到的。

Wǒ gānggang cái dào de.

I arrived just now.

我只有戴眼镜的话才看得清楚。

Wǒ zhǐyǒu dài yǎnjìng dehuà cái kàn de qīngchu.

I can only see clearly if I wear my glasses.

我因为有你的建议才能成功。

Wǒ yīnwèi yǒu nǐ de jiànyì cái néng chénggōng.

I was able to succeed because of your advice.

我在火车开后才到达车站。

Wǒ zài huǒchē kāi hòu cái dàodá chēzhàn.

I only got to the station after the train had left.

我好容易才说服爸爸。

Wǒ hǎoróngyì cái shuōfú bàba.

I had a hard time convincing my dad.

我如何才能更新这个软件呢？

Wǒ rúhé cái néng gēngxīn zhège ruǎnjiàn ne?

How can I update this software?

我弟觉得他比我强，但他才六岁。

Wǒ dì juéde tā bǐ wǒ qiáng, dàn tā cái liù suì.

My brother thinks that he's stronger than me. But he's only six years old.

我很晚才睡。

Wǒ hěn wǎn cái shuì.

I stayed up till late at night.

我怎么才能摆脱这种困境？

Wǒ zěnme cái néng bǎituō zhèzhǒng kùnjìng?

How do I get out of this mess?

我才下班。

Wǒ cái xiàbān.

I just got off work.

我才不会呢！

Wǒ cái búhuì ne!

I'd never do that!

我才不吃这么恶心的东西呢！

Wǒ cái bùchī zhème ěxīn de dōngxi ne!

There's no way I'm eating something so disgusting!

我才不稀罕你的臭钱！

Wǒ cái bù xīhan nǐ de chòuqián!

I don't care for your money at all!

我才不稀罕你的钱！

Wǒ cái bù xīhan nǐ de qián!

I don't care about your money!

我才不管你累不累呢。

Wǒ cái bùguǎn nǐ lèi bú lèi ne.

I don't give a toss that you are tired.

我才不要呢！

Wǒ cái búyào ne!

Absolutely not!

我才想起来我之前该买个面包。

Wǒ cái xiǎng qilai wǒ zhīqián gāi mǎi gè miànbāo.

I just remembered that I was supposed to buy a loaf of bread.

我才接到他的电话。

Wǒ cái jiēdào tā de diànhuà.

I just got his call.

我才有两个！

Wǒ cái yǒu liǎng gè!

I've only got two!

我才没想哭。

Wǒ cái méi xiǎng kū.

I didn't mean to cry.

我才看到你的email.

Wǒ cái kàndào nǐ deemail.

I just saw your email.

我是不得已才卖掉了房子。

Wǒ shì bùdéyǐ cái màidiàole fángzi.

I sold the house only because I had no other choice.

我是吃了饭才出发的。

Wǒ shì chīle fàn cái chūfā de.

I only set off after I'd eaten.

我是吃过饭才出发的。

Wǒ shì chīguo fàn cái chūfā de.

I only set off after I'd eaten.

我的意见才是最重要的！

Wǒ de yìjiàn cái shì zuì zhòngyào de!

My opinion is the one that counts!

我的祖父要用拐杖才能走路。

Wǒ de zǔfù yào yòng guǎizhàng cái néng zǒulù.

My grandfather cannot walk without a stick.

我看完电视才去做功课。

Wǒ kàn wán diànshì cái qù zuò gōngkè.

I'll do my homework after I watch television.

我等了你半天，你怎么才来？

Wǒ děng le nǐ bàntiān, nǐ zěnme cái lái?

I've been waiting for you for ages. Why are you only getting here now?

我舅舅三十岁才转行当老师。

Wǒ jiùjiu sānshí suì cái zhuǎnháng dāng lǎoshī.

My uncle didn't change careers to become a teacher until he was thirty.

我该怎么做才能让你更注意我？

Wǒ gāi zěnme zuò cái néng ràng nǐ gèng zhùyì wǒ?

What have I got to do so that you'll pay attention to me?

我还需要一点时间才能做完。

Wǒ hái xūyào yìdiǎn shíjiān cái néng zuò wán.

I'm going to need a little more time to finish doing this.

我通常星期天要到中午才起床。

Wǒ tōngcháng xīngqītiān yào dào zhōngwǔ cái qǐchuáng.

I usually don't get up until noon on Sundays.

房子盖得坚固，才不怕地震。

Fángzi gài de jiāngù, cái búpà dìzhèn.

If a house is built solidly, it needn't fear earthquakes.

所以我才会一直输。

Suǒyǐ wǒ cái huì yìzhí shū.

That’s why I keep losing.

才几年没见，他已经老态龙钟了。

Cái jǐnián méi jiàn, tā yǐjīng lǎotàilóngzhōng le.

I haven't seen him for only a few years, and he already looks frail with age.

才出壳的小鸡儿，嫩得很

cái chū ké de xiǎojī ér, nèn de hěn

A chick just out of the shell: very tender

才出锅的糍粑，酥软

cái chū guō de cíbā, sūruǎn

Glutinous rice cake just out of the pot: soft and crumbly

才高易狂，艺高易傲

cái gāo yì kuáng, yì gāo yì ào

High talent easily turns arrogant; high skill easily turns proud

才高遭嫉，人贤遭难

cái gāo zāo jí, rén xián zāonàn

High talent draws envy; a worthy person draws trouble

找了一辈子，到头来才明白。

Zhǎole yíbèizi, dàotóulái cái míngbai.

After searching all his life, he finally understood.

拔出脓来，才是好膏药

báchū nóng lái, cái shì hǎo gāoyao

only a plaster that draws out the pus is a good plaster

掌舵的心不慌，乘船的才稳当

zhǎngduò de xīn bù huāng, chéngchuán de cái wěndang

if the helmsman isn't panicking, passengers feel secure

新手机要先插卡才能激活。

Xīn shǒujī yào xiān chā kǎ cái néng jīhuó.

A new phone has to have a SIM card inserted before it can be activated.

新手机要先激活才能用。

Xīn shǒujī yào xiān jīhuó cái néng yòng.

A new phone has to be activated before you can use it.

方法并不重要，结果才重要。

Fāngfǎ bìng bú zhòngyào, jiéguǒ cái zhòngyào.

It is not the means which matters, it is the end.

无才有志，成全半事；有才无志，白头了事；有才有志，做得大事

wú cái yǒuzhì, chéngquán bàn shì; yǒu cái wú zhì, báitóu liǎo shì; yǒu cái yǒuzhì, zuò de dàshì

no talent but ambition, half the job is done; talent but no ambition, you end with white hair and nothing; talent and ambition, you can do great things

早饭吃饱了，干活才有劲。

Zǎofàn chībǎole, gànhuó cái yǒujìn.

You only have energy to work once you've had a full breakfast.

昨天晚上我的女儿一点半才回家。

Zuótiān wǎnshang wǒ de nǚ'ér yìdiǎn bàn cái huíjiā.

Last night my daughter didn't come home until half past one.

晚餐之后你才可以看电视。

Wǎncān zhīhòu nǐ cái kěyǐ kàn diànshì.

You can watch TV after supper.

有人叫我来，我才来的。

Yǒurén jiào wǒ lái, wǒ cái lái de.

It's because I was asked to come that I'm here.

有人督促，我才能坚持跑步。

Yǒurén dūcù, wǒ cái néng jiānchí pǎobù.

I can only keep up running if someone keeps pushing me.