非…莫属: belongs to none but…
固定格式 / set structures
Tone colorsā tone 1á tone 2ǎ tone 3à tone 4a neutral
非 N 莫属 ("if not N, it belongs to no one") means only N deserves a title, role or place: "is N's by right", "can only be N".
Fixed classical structure: the topic (the prize, the place, the best…) comes first, then 非…莫属. Much used in art criticism and sport.
Examples
要说中国最有名的画家,非齐白石莫属。
Yào shuō Zhōngguó zuì yǒumíng de huàjiā, fēi Qí Báishí mòshǔ.If you're naming China's most famous painter, it can only be Qi Baishi.
今年的最佳导演奖,非她莫属。
Jīnnián de zuì jiā dǎoyǎn jiǎng, fēi tā mòshǔ.This year's best director award can only go to her.
论书法水平,全校第一非他莫属。
Lùn shūfǎ shuǐpíng, quán xiào dì-yī fēi tā mòshǔ.In calligraphy, he's the undisputed best in the school.
Common mistakes
✗ With the person as subject: ✗ 他非第一莫属 → ✓ 第一非他莫属 (title first, person inside 非…莫属).
✗ Confusing it with 非…不可 ("absolutely must").