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Expressing "if… then…" with 要是 ("yao4shi4")

要是 yàoshì

Grammar
HSK 4

Structure

要是 + Subj. ⋯⋯ ， 就 ⋯⋯ 要不是 ⋯⋯ ，⋯⋯

Translations

  • then
  • if

Definition

“要是”是表示假设的连词，常与“就”连用，构成“要是……就……”结构，表示“如果……那么……”，用于提出假设条件并说明在该条件下会发生的结果。

"要是" is a conjunction expressing hypothesis, often used together with "就" to form the "要是……就……" structure, meaning "if... then...", used to propose a hypothetical condition and state the result under that condition.

Usage

该结构用于引导假设条件句，前面是条件，后面是结果。通常“要是”后接条件分句，“就”后接结果分句。在口语中非常常见，可用于真实条件或虚拟条件。

This structure is used to introduce conditional sentences. The condition clause follows "要是", and the result clause follows "就". It is very common in spoken Chinese and can be used for real conditions or hypothetical/counterfactual conditions.

Examples

  • 1 要是下雨，我们就不去了。 (If it rains, we won't go.)
  • 2 要是你有时间，就来我家玩吧。 (If you have time, come to my house to play.)
  • 3 要是我考试通过了，我就请客。 (If I pass the exam, I will treat everyone to a meal.)
  • 4 要是他不来，我们就得自己干。 (If he doesn't come, we'll have to do it ourselves.)
  • 5 要是我能飞，那该多好啊！ (If I could fly, how wonderful that would be!)

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