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

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"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 (yàoshi) and the formal 假如 (jiǎrú), among others. Also, keep in mind that the 的话 at the end is optional, and even the leading "if" word is optional! Even when there are no explicit "if" words in a sentence, though, the "if" can be inferred from context. But be glad if you get either a 如果 or a 的话; it makes understanding the sentence that much easier!

Examples

  • 如果 你 有 空 的话,我们 可以 明天 晚上 看 电影。If you have time, we can go see a movie tomorrow night.
  • 如果 没有 你的帮助 的话,他 是 不会 得到 这份 工作 的。If you didn't help him, he wouldn't get the job offer.
  • 如果 你 不 来 的话,老师 会 很 失望。If you don't come, the teacher will be disappointed.

See also

Sources and further reading

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