GbEng
今年我们不能出国，所以只能去上海度假了。 We can't go abroad this year, so we'll have to content ourselves with a holiday in Shanghai.
我们只能做些较小的让步，但这就可能打破僵局。 We can only make minor concessions, but it might break the deadlock.
人只能做力所能及的事。 A man can do no more than he can.
他只能靠微薄的收入来养家。 He had to support his family with his meager income.
他在黑暗中只能勉强辨认出道路。 He was just able to discern the road from the dark.
他提出这种要求，只能说是正当的。 It's only just that he should claim it.
对不起, 你只能在八号窗口买旅行支票。 I am sorry, you can only buy traveler's check at Window Eight.
无论如何我们也只能听其自然。 Be that as it may, I'll leave it as it is.
她不只能说德国话也能说法国话。 She can speak not only German but also French.
到目前为止，主席只能提出个大体规划，还不能很具体。 So far, the chairman has only been able to trace out the outline of the plan, without any details.
唉，恐怕只能如此了。 Well, I think it will have to do.
在医院病床躺了一个星期之后，他只能遥遥晃晃地走几步。 After a week in the hospital bed, I was only able too wobble around a bit.
这种事情只能私下处理。 This sort of business can only be transacted in private.
我的时间很宝贵，我只能见你几分钟。 My time is precious; I can only give you a few minutes.
没有任何指示，我只能按我认为最好的方法去做了。 Failing instructions I did what I thought was best.
这篇文章很短, 只能对这一问题作肤浅的探讨. This essay is so short that it can only scratch the surface of the topic.
我学法语的时间还不长, 所以我只能凑合著说几句. I haven't been learning French for long, so I can only manage (ie speak) a few words.
这家戏院只能容纳250人. The theatre admits only 250 people.
这种思想只能把世人引入歧途。 Such ideas will only lead the world's people astray.
柴油潜艇在水下只能航行非常短的时间，而核潜艇在水下航行的时间要长得多。 A diesel submarine is able to cruise under water for a short period of time, but a nuclear one is able to cruise under water much longer.