Expressing "if" with "ruguo... dehua"

"如果⋯⋯的话，⋯⋯" (rúguǒ... de huà, ...) is a pattern commonly used in Chinese to express "if". An easy way to remember the pattern's format is that in the full form, the condition is "sandwiched" between 如果 and 的话.

An important thing to note is that 如果 can be switched out for the various other terms for "if", including the common 要是 and the formal 假如, among others. Also, keep in mind that the 的话 at the end is optional, and even the leading "if" word is optional! Context makes a huge difference.

Here are some examples of this pattern:

• 如果 你 有 空 的话，我们 可以 明天 晚上 看 电影。
• 如果 不 是 你 教 他 的话，他 是 不 会 通过 考试 的。
• 如果 你 不 来 的话，老师 会 很 失望。

Sources and further reading

Books

• Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide (pp. 280)