Difference between revisions of "Expressing "if... then..." with "ruguo... jiu...""
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− | One of the benefits of Chinese is that the grammar is often very logical and concise. In this article, we look at the 如果 ⋯⋯,就⋯⋯ (rúguǒ..., jiù...) structure | + | One of the benefits of Chinese is that the grammar is often very logical and concise. In this article, we look at the 如果 ⋯⋯,就⋯⋯ (rúguǒ..., jiù...) two-part structure. |
== Standard Pattern == | == Standard Pattern == | ||
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+ | === Adding in 的话 === | ||
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+ | This article is focused on the two-part "if... then..." pattern 如果⋯⋯,就⋯⋯. But it's also possible to take the first half and make it into a [[The "if" sandwich pattern using "ruguo... dehua"|"sandwich pattern" using 如果……的话]]. | ||
== See also == | == See also == |
Revision as of 08:49, 25 September 2018
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Level
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Similar to
- Expressing "then" with "jiu" (A2)
- Events in quick succession with "yi... jiu..." (B1)
- Expressing "as one likes" with "jiu" (B1)
- Expressing "if" with "ruguo... dehua" (B1)
- Conditions with "yao" and "jiu" (B2)
- Expressing "if… then…" with "jiaru" (B2)
- Expressing "if… then…" with "yaoshi" (B2)
- Expressing "once...then..." with "yidan...jiu..." (B2)
- Expressing "only if" with "zhiyou" (B2)
- Marking a topic with "de hua" (B2)
- Expressing "if… then…" with "jiashi" (C1)
- Use "tangruo" to express "if" (C1)
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Used for
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Keywords
One of the benefits of Chinese is that the grammar is often very logical and concise. In this article, we look at the 如果 ⋯⋯,就⋯⋯ (rúguǒ..., jiù...) two-part structure.
Contents
Standard Pattern
Structure
如果⋯⋯,就⋯⋯ is an often-used pattern that is utilized in the same way that "If…, then…" is in English.
如果 ⋯⋯ ,就 ⋯⋯
Examples
- 如果 有 困难 ,就 给 我 打 电话 。 If there is any difficulty, give me a call.
- 如果 你 输 了 ,就 给 我 一 百 块 。If you lose, you need to give me 100 kuai.
- 如果 真的 找 不 回来 ,就 再 买 一 个 吧 。If you can't find it, then buy a new one.
- 如果 他 再 来 ,我们 就 报警 。If he keeps showing up, we'll call the police.
- 如果 你们 已经 不 相爱 了 ,就 分手 吧 。If you no longer love each other, just break up.
Fuller Pattern
Sometimes 那么 (nàme) is used instead of 就 (jiù), imparting a more relaxed, informal feel to the sentence. Sometimes just 那 (nà) will be used instead of 那么 (nàme).
Structure
如果 ⋯⋯ ,那么 / 那 ⋯⋯
Examples
- 如果 他 知道 ,那 他 一 定 会 告诉 我 。If he knew, he would definitely tell me.
- 如果 大家 都 不 感兴趣 ,那 我 不 说 了。If none of you are interested, I will stop talking.
- 如果 你们 真的 想 合作 ,那么 我们 应该 找 时间 好好 谈谈 。If you really want to work with us, then we should schedule a day to discuss it.
- 如果 能 找到 投资 ,那 下个月 就 可以 开始 做 了 。If we can find the investment, we'll be able to get on it next month.
- 如果 你 想 申请 ,那么 现在 就 要 开始 准备 。If you want to apply, you need to start to prepare right away.
Adding in 的话
This article is focused on the two-part "if... then..." pattern 如果⋯⋯,就⋯⋯. But it's also possible to take the first half and make it into a "sandwich pattern" using 如果……的话.
See also
- Marking a topic with "de hua"
- "If… then…" with "yaoshi"
- "If… then…" with "jiaru"
- "Only if" with "zhiyou"
Sources and further reading
Books
- Common Chinese Patterns 330 (汉语常用格式330例) (pp. 184) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
- New Practical Chinese Reader 2 (新实用汉语课本2) (pp. 240) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy