How to say “if… then…” in Chinese with 的话
Topic + 的话 (de huà)， Main Clause
Marking a topic with "的话 (de huà)"
Topic + 的话 (de huà)， Main Clause
HSK 5"If" StatementsMarking a topic with "的话 (de huà)"
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.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you express “Marking a topic with "的话 (de huà)"” in Chinese?
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
Expressing "what if" with "万一 (wànyī)"
万一 (wànyī) + (Undesirable) Condition + 怎么办 (zěnme bàn)？
Expressing "if… then…" with "假如 (jiǎrú)"
假如 (jiǎrú) + Condition, 就 (jiù) + Result
Complement "-坏了 (huàile)"
Verb / Adj. + 坏了 (huàile)
Expressing "even if…" with "就是 (jiùshì)"
就是 (jiùshì)⋯⋯，也 (yě)⋯⋯
Continuing state with "还 (hái)…呢 (ne)"
Subj. + 还 (hái) + Predicate + 呢 (ne)
Expressing "related to…" with "有关的 (yǒuguān de)"
跟 (gēn) / 和 (hé) / 与 (yǔ) + Noun + 有关的 (yǒuguān de) + Noun
Adjectival complement "得很 (de hěn)"
Adj. + 得很 (de hěn)
Expressing "how about" with "要不 (yàobù)"
要不 (yàobù) + Suggestion / Option