Expressing "once...then..." with "yidan...jiu..."
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Level
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Similar to
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Used for
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Keywords
一旦 (yīdàn) is used to express what would happen after a certain condition is met. Usually it is used with 就. This grammar pattern expresses that "once" one thing happens, "then" something else will happen.
Structure
This structure is similar to the English "once... then," as in "once I get my hands on you, you'll wish you'd never been born."
一旦 + Condition，Subj. + 就 + Consequence
Examples
- 一旦 我 找 好 的 工作，我 就 会 安心。Once I find a good job, then I'll be able to relax.
- 这 张 桌子 不 稳定，一旦 发生 什么 小小的 振动，就 会 倒塌。This table isn't very stable. If there's even a small vibration, it will fall over.
- 学习 计算机 科学 的 学生 很 自信，他们 一旦 毕业，就 会 找到 很 好 的 工作。Computer science students are very confident. Once they graduate, they will be able to find good jobs.
- 千万 不 要 在 经济 泡沫 中 炒股，一旦 市场 崩溃，你 会 很 后悔 的！You must absolutely not trade stocks in an economic bubble. Once the market collapses, you will regret it!
- 一旦 发生 事故，你 要 负责！In case of an accident, you're responsible!
- 有些 人 一旦 有 了 钱，就 变了。Some people change as soon as they have money.
- 一旦 做出 决定，就 没有 借口，只有 认真 去 做。Once a decision is made, there are no more excuses, and all you can do is take it seriously and do it.
- 人 一旦 在 一个 很 舒服 的 环境 中，就 不想 继续 努力 了。Once you're in a comfortable environment, you don't want to keep trying.
- 一旦 提高 价格，你 会 失去 很多 客户的。If you raise your prices, you will lose a lot of customers.
- 这种 病 很 复杂，一旦 染上，很 难 治好。This disease is very complicated and once you've contracted it, it's hard to cure.
Notice in the last example there is no 就. Sometimes you can leave out the 就 and the context that the result will happen is pretty clear.
