Chinese Grammar Bank
HOW TO USE 如果
When you’re trying to say “if” in Chinese, 如果 (rúguǒ) is the most common way of expressing this.
Like in English, 如果 is used to say that something can or will happen on condition that something else occurs.
So in a sentence with 如果, the statement that comes right after 如果 is an assumption (a hypothetical situation).
HOW TO USE 如果 WITH 就
When 如果 is used with 就, 如果 goes with the first clause which is an assumption and 就 goes with the second clause which is a result of the first clause happening.
This equates to “If…, then…” 就 can be replaced with 那 (nà) or 那么 (nàme) in more informal settings, however the meaning remains the same.
Similarly, 就 can be dropped when making a sentence with 如果 and the meaning remains the same.
PATTERN
如果 + Statement, (就 +) Statement
HOW TO USE 如果 WITH 的话
Similar to the structure above, 如果 with 的话 (dehuà) is also used for hypothetical situations.
Here, 的话 is placed after the first clause or statement.
就 is optional in the second statement. In more casual speech, 如果 is dropped and only 的话 is used. Similarly, 的话 may be left out and only 就 is used.
PATTERN
如果 + Statement + 的话, (就 +) Statement
USING 如果 TO SAY “WHETHER OR NOT”
如果 CANNOT be used to express “whether or not” or “if something will happen or not”.
To make “whether or not” sentences or questions in Chinese, the main verb of the sentence is used in a “verb + 不 + verb” structure:
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FAQs
How to say “if” in Chinese?
The most common way to say “if” in Chinese is 如果 (rúguǒ).
How do I read or pronounce 如果?
如果 is pronounced rúguǒ.
What are some example sentences with 如果?
– 如果你喜欢，你就买了。rúguǒ nǐ xǐhuān, nǐ jiù mǎile. If you like it, you buy it.
– 如果没有什么不便的话，我要早一点儿来。rúguǒ méiyǒu shénme bùbiàn dehuà, wǒ yào zǎo yīdiǎn er lái. If there is no inconvenience, I will come earlier.
– 如果今天你有空，我们就一起去看电影。rúguǒ jīntiān nǐ yǒu kòng, wǒmen jiù yīqǐ qù kàn diànyǐng. If you are free today, let’s go to watch a movie together.
What is the sentence structure for 如果?
The most common sentence structure for 如果 is:
如果 + statement，就 + statement
Another common sentence structure for 如果 is:
如果 + statement + 的话, (就 +) statement
How to make a proper sentence in Chinese?
You can learn how to make a basic Chinese here. You can also get a private teacher to help you or take some Chinese lessons.
Where can I find more grammar lessons?
There are more Chinese grammar lessons like this one in our Chinese Grammar Bank.
If our list doesn’t include the grammar point you are looking for, feel free to contact us to request it.