的
de
Possessive particle; modifier particle
How to say “if… then…” in Chinese with 的话
Topic + 的话 (de huà)， Main Clause
的话 (de huà) — if… then…
HSK 5"If" Statements
Topic + 的话 (de huà)， Main Clause
HSK 5"If" Statements的话 (de huà) — if… then…
Rule structure
的话 (de huà) is a topic marker meaning "if, speaking of". It attaches to the end of a clause to mark it as the condition/topic. Often paired with 就 (jiù).
Rule structure
的话 (de huà) is a topic marker meaning "if, speaking of". It attaches to the end of a clause to mark it as the condition/topic. Often paired with 就 (jiù).
Examples
你忙的话，就不用来了。
Nǐ máng de huà, jiù bùyòng lái le.
If you’re busy, you don’t need to come.
Examples
你忙的话，就不用来了。
Nǐ máng de huà, jiù bùyòng lái le.
If you’re busy, you don’t need to come.
Practice
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Frequently asked questions
How do you say “if… then…” in Chinese with 的话?
Use the structure: Topic + 的话 (de huà)， Main Clause. For example: 你忙的话，就不用来了。 — “If you’re busy, you don’t need to come”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
你忙的话，就不用来了。 — “If you’re busy, you don’t need to come”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 5.
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More HSK 5 grammar rules
万一 — what if
万一 (wànyī) + (Undesirable) Condition + 怎么办 (zěnme bàn)？
假如 — if… then…
假如 (jiǎrú) + Condition, 就 (jiù) + Result
了 — completed action with complement
Verb + Complement + 了 (le) + (Obj.)
坏了 — extremely, awfully
Verb / Adj. + 坏了 (huàile)
就是 — even if…
就是 (jiùshì)⋯⋯，也 (yě)⋯⋯
还…呢 — still in progress
Subj. + 还 (hái) + Predicate + 呢 (ne)
有关的 — related to…
跟 (gēn) / 和 (hé) / 与 (yǔ) + Noun + 有关的 (yǒuguān de) + Noun
得很 — very, extremely
Adj. + 得很 (de hěn)