如果…就…
HSK 3- Conditionals
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
The structure 如果…就… is used to express a hypothesis and its result, meaning 'if…then…'.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
This is the most basic and commonly used "if… then…" structure in Chinese. 如果 (rúguǒ) introduces a hypothesis or condition. 就 (jiù) leads into the result or action that will occur if that condition is met.
The subject of the second clause may be omitted when it is the same as the subject of the first clause. This structure is highly flexible and can be used in virtually any situation, from formal to everyday contexts.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 如果明天刮风，我们就不去公园了。繁: 如果明天颳風，我們就不去公園了。Rúguǒ míngtiān guā fēng, wǒmen jiù bú qù gōngyuán le.
If it's windy tomorrow, we won't go to the park.
- 如果你喜欢，就买吧。繁: 如果你喜歡，就買吧。Rúguǒ nǐ xǐhuān, jiù mǎi ba.
If you like it, just buy it.
- 如果不懂，就问老师。繁: 如果不懂，就問老師。Rúguǒ bù dǒng, jiù wèn lǎoshī.
If you don't understand, ask the teacher.
- 如果有时间，我就去看你。繁: 如果有時間，我就去看你。Rúguǒ yǒu shíjiān, wǒ jiù qù kàn nǐ.
If I have time, I will come visit you.
- 如果你努力，就会成功。繁: 如果你努力，就會成功。Rúguǒ nǐ nǔlì, jiù huì chénggōng.
If you work hard, you will succeed.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:如果你来，我很高兴。Correct:如果你来，我就很高兴。
In this structure, 就 typically cannot be omitted like "thì" in Vietnamese when connecting two clauses.
- Wrong:如果下雨，就我不出门。Correct:如果下雨，我就不出门。
The adverb 就 must come after the subject (我), not before it.