Expressing "if… then…" with "yaoshi"

Level

B2 / HSK4
Level

B2
Level

HSK4
Similar to
Similar to
- Using "dui" with verbs (HSK2)
- Expressing "if" with "ruguo... dehua" (HSK3)
- Expressing "if... then..." with "ruguo... jiu..." (HSK3)
- Expressing "for…" with "eryan" (HSK5)
- Expressing "if… then…" with "jiaru" (HSK5)
- Expressing "what if" with "wanyi" (HSK5)
- Expressing "if… then…" with "jiashi" (HSK6)
Used for

Indicating conditions, Indicating cause and effect, Expressing possibility
Keywords

要是

要是⋯⋯，就⋯⋯ (yàoshi..., jiù...) is one of several ways to convey "If... Then..." It is very similar to 如果..., 就... in usage and formality. However, it is important to note that 要是 is considered to be even more informal (and is usually left more to spoken Chinese) than the common 如果 and used more frequently in the northern areas of China.

Affirmative Form

Structure

要是 + Subj. ⋯⋯ ，就 ⋯⋯

Note that the subject can also be placed before 要是. In this case, 要是 can be shortened as 要.

Examples

你要是真想我，就给我打电话。If you do miss me, then give me a call.
要是我妈知道这件事，我就死定了 ! If my mother knew about this, I would be so dead!
要是老板不同意，我们就不能跟客户签合同。If the boss doesn't agree, we can't sign the contract with the client.
你要再说，我真生气了。If you keep talking this way, I'll get mad. Seriously.
他要不听，我也没办法。If he doesn't listen, there's nothing I can do about it.

Negative Form

要不是 is pretty much the same as the English saying "if it weren't for."

Structure

要不是 ⋯⋯ ，⋯⋯

Examples

要不是 他求我，我才不帮你呢。If it weren't because he begged me, I wouldn't be helping you.
要不是 因为孩子，我早就离婚了。If it weren't for the sake of kids, I would have divorced him sooner.
要不是 堵车，我早就到了。If it weren't for the traffic jam, I would have gotten here sooner.
要不是 亲眼看到，我也不相信。If I hadn't seen it for myself, I wouldn't believe it.
要不是 你提醒我，我肯定忘了。If it weren't for your reminding me, I would have forgotten.

Colloquial Saying 要我说

Literally 要我说 means "if you ask for my opinion."

A few examples:

要我说 ，你先别告诉她。I say don't tell her yet.
要我说 ，他就是太懒。I say he's just too lazy.
要我说 ，我们应该早点做准备。In my opinion, we should get prepared sooner.
要我说 ，这个人不能信。In my opinion, this man isn't trustworthy.
要我说 ，什么时候开始都不晚。I say it's never too late to start.

Sources and further reading

Books

HSK Standard Course 4上 (pp. 85) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
Common Chinese Patterns 330 (汉语常用格式330例) (pp. 246) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide (pp. 278) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
New Practical Chinese Reader 4 (新实用汉语课本4) (pp. 41-2) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课下册） (pp. 502) [ →buy]

Expressing "if… then…" with "yaoshi"

Contents

Affirmative Form

Structure

Examples

Negative Form

Structure

Examples

Colloquial Saying 要我说

See also

Sources and further reading

Books