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How to say “if… then…” in Chinese with 要是 (yàoshi)

要是 (yàoshi)⋯⋯，就 (jiù)⋯⋯

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

HSK 4"If" Statements

Rule structure

要是 (yàoshi) is the most common colloquial "if". Often paired with 就 (jiù) in the second clause. It can express real or hypothetical conditions.

Examples

要是你早说，我就帮你了。

Yàoshi nǐ zǎo shuō, wǒ jiù bāng nǐ le.

If you had said so earlier, I would have helped you.

Practice

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Frequently asked questions

How do you express “Expressing "if… then…" with "要是 (yàoshi)"” in Chinese?

Use the structure: 要是 (yàoshi)⋯⋯，就 (jiù)⋯⋯. For example: 要是你早说，我就帮你了。 — “If you had said so earlier, I would have helped you.”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

要是你早说，我就帮你了。 — “If you had said so earlier, I would have helped you.”.

Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?

This grammar rule is part of HSK 4.

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More HSK 4 grammar rules

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Expressing "until" with "到 (dào)"

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Advanced uses of "连 (lián)"

连 (lián) + Verb + 都 (dōu) + 不 (bù) / 没 (méi) + Verb

Expressing "it turns out / originally" with "原来 (yuánlái)"

Subj. + 原来 (yuánlái) + Predicate

Expressing "must" with "得 (děi)"

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Expressing "no matter" with "不管 (bùguǎn)"

不管 (bùguǎn)⋯⋯，都 (dōu) / 也 (yě)⋯⋯

Expressing "no matter" with "无论 (wúlùn)"

无论 (wúlùn) / 不论 (bùlùn)⋯⋯，都 (dōu) / 也 (yě)⋯⋯

Rhetorical yes-no question with "难道 (nándào)…吗 (ma)"

难道 (nándào) + Statement + 吗 (ma)?