Difference between revisions of "Expressing "if... then..." with "ruguo... jiu...""

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{{Grammar Box}}
 
{{Grammar Box}}
== Structure ==
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== Simple Structure with just 如果 ==
  
 
"如果..., 就..." (rúguǒ..., jiù...) is an often-used pattern that is utilized in the same way that "''If..., then...''" is in English.  
 
"如果..., 就..." (rúguǒ..., jiù...) is an often-used pattern that is utilized in the same way that "''If..., then...''" is in English.  
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<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
  
如果 + Statement + 就 + Result  
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如果 + [Statement] + 就 + [Result]
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== Examples ==
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== Examples with just 如果 ==
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
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*她 <em>如果</em> 喝 太 多 啤酒,<em>就</em> 会 发酒疯。
 
*她 <em>如果</em> 喝 太 多 啤酒,<em>就</em> 会 发酒疯。
 
*我 <em>如果</em> 在 北京 找不到 工作,<em>就</em> 会 回 昆明。
 
*我 <em>如果</em> 在 北京 找不到 工作,<em>就</em> 会 回 昆明。
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</div>
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== Fuller Structure with 的话 ==
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Although 如果 can be used to mean "if" all by itself, it's often used together with the phrase 的话 () to "sandwich" the "if" part.
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<div class="jiegou">
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如果 + [Statement] + 的话, + 就 + [Result]
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</div>
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Here's the slightly tricky thing: while you can use 如果 without 的话, it's also possible to drop the 如果 and just use the 的话 instead to mean "if."  It's even possible to use neither, and let the "if" be completely implied.
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== Examples with 的话 ==
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<div class="liju">
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* 如果 你 去  <em>的话</em>,帮 我 跟 她 问 好。 <span class="expl">(Using both 如果 and 的话)</span>
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* 下次 有 时间  <em>的话</em>,一定 要 找 我 玩儿。<span class="expl">(Using only 的话)</span>
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* 如果 你 不 忙  <em>的话</em>,可以 帮 我 联系 客户 吗?<span class="expl">(Using both 如果 and 的话)</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>

Revision as of 13:48, 20 January 2013

Simple Structure with just 如果

"如果..., 就..." (rúguǒ..., jiù...) is an often-used pattern that is utilized in the same way that "If..., then..." is in English.

如果 + [Statement] + 就 + [Result]

Examples with just 如果

  • 如果 不 好好 复习,你 无法 通过 明天 的 考试。
  • 如果 喝 太 多 啤酒, 会 发酒疯。
  • 如果 在 北京 找不到 工作, 会 回 昆明。

Fuller Structure with 的话

Although 如果 can be used to mean "if" all by itself, it's often used together with the phrase 的话 () to "sandwich" the "if" part.

如果 + [Statement] + 的话, + 就 + [Result]

Here's the slightly tricky thing: while you can use 如果 without 的话, it's also possible to drop the 如果 and just use the 的话 instead to mean "if." It's even possible to use neither, and let the "if" be completely implied.

Examples with 的话

  • 如果 你 去 的话,帮 我 跟 她 问 好。 (Using both 如果 and 的话)
  • 下次 有 时间 的话,一定 要 找 我 玩儿。(Using only 的话)
  • 如果 你 不 忙 的话,可以 帮 我 联系 客户 吗?(Using both 如果 and 的话)

See also

Sources and further reading

Books