如果 rúguǒ if
if; in the event that
How to remember 如果: 如 as + 果 fruit = if.
Characters
How it is used
- 如果 A，就 B - "if A, then B": 如果你来，就叫我 (rúguǒ nǐ lái, jiù jiào wǒ) if you come, call me.
- The 就 in the second clause is the natural pairing; 如果 sits at the front of the condition.
- Near-synonyms 要是 (yàoshi, more colloquial) and 假如 (jiǎrú, more formal) are interchangeable; 如果 is the neutral default.
Example sentences
- 如果饿了，吃吧。 Rúguǒ è le, chī ba.If you're hungry, eat.
- 那如果那是真的呢？ Nà rúguǒ nà shì zhēnde ne?So what if that's true?
- 如果我是超人就好了。 Rúguǒ wǒ shì chāorén jiù hǎo le.It would be great if I were superhuman.