How to say “if it weren't for” in Chinese with 要不是
要不是 (yàobushì) + Condition, 就 (jiù) + Result (counterfactual)
要不是 (yào bù shì) — if it weren't for
要不是 (yàobushì) + Condition, 就 (jiù) + Result (counterfactual)
HSK 5Sentence Patterns要不是 (yào bù shì) — if it weren't for
Rule structure
要不是 (yàobushì) introduces a counterfactual condition, meaning "if it were not for". The result clause often uses 就 (jiù) and ends with 了 (le).
Rule structure
要不是 (yàobushì) introduces a counterfactual condition, meaning "if it were not for". The result clause often uses 就 (jiù) and ends with 了 (le).
Examples
要不是你帮我，我就完蛋了。
Yàobushì nǐ bāng wǒ, wǒ jiù wándàn le.
If it weren’t for your help, I would have been finished.
Examples
要不是你帮我，我就完蛋了。
Yàobushì nǐ bāng wǒ, wǒ jiù wándàn le.
If it weren’t for your help, I would have been finished.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you say “if it weren't for” in Chinese with 要不是?
Use the structure: 要不是 (yàobushì) + Condition, 就 (jiù) + Result (counterfactual). For example: 要不是你帮我，我就完蛋了。 — “If it weren’t for your help, I would have been finished.”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
要不是你帮我，我就完蛋了。 — “If it weren’t for your help, I would have been finished.”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 5.
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More HSK 5 grammar rules
有关的 — related to…
跟 (gēn) / 和 (hé) / 与 (yǔ) + Noun + 有关的 (yǒuguān de) + Noun
不但…甚至连 — not only… even…
不但 (búdàn) + Clause 1, 甚至 (shènzhì) + 连 (lián) + Noun + 都 (dōu)/也 (yě) + Verb
所 — so-called
所谓 (suǒwèi) + Noun Phrase
一面 — simultaneous actions
一面 (yímiàn) + Verb 1, 一面 (yímiàn) + Verb 2
等于 — equal to
A + 等于 (děngyú) + B
更不用说 — let alone
⋯⋯，更不用说 (gèng bùyòng shuō)⋯⋯
而已 — that's all
Clause + 而已 (éryǐ)
别说 — let alone
别说 (biéshuō)⋯⋯，就是 (jiùshì)⋯⋯