如果
rúguǒ
In Chinese, 'if' is expressed as 如果 (rúguǒ). Wiktionary also lists 要是 (yàoshì) and 如 (rú).
Meaning: supposing that (conj)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 如果 | rúguǒ | |
| 要是 | yàoshì | |
| 如 | rú | |
| 當 / 当 | dāng | |
| …的话 | …de huà | suffix |
The term 'if' is used to introduce a condition or a supposition.
Which one should you use?
While 如果 is the standard way to say 'if', 要是 is more colloquial and common in spoken conversation. For a very formal or literary effect, the single character 如 can be used. In casual settings, you may also see the suffix …的话 added to a clause to provide extra clarity and emphasis to the condition.
How does it change in a sentence?
The suffix …的话 is a particle that can be added to the end of a clause to mark the 'if' condition, often used in conjunction with 如果 or 要是. Additionally, in a conditional sentence, 如果 is frequently paired with 就 in the second clause to create an 'if… then…' structure.
How do you pronounce it?
rúguǒ
Did you know?
Examples in context
- 如果你喜欢。If you like.This is useful for expressing a condition of preference using 如果.Tatoeba #3338922 by sadhen, translation #1745397 by kate15
- 但如果他说不呢？But what if he says no?This sentence uses 如果 to pose a conditional question.Tatoeba #10538610 by GlossaMatik, translation #5894451 by Hybrid
- 如果饿了，吃吧。If you're hungry, eat.This sentence uses 如果 to give advice based on a physical state.Tatoeba #12686056 by soueihin, translation #5137173 by Joseph
- 如果你努力学习，你一定会成功。If you study hard, you will definitely succeed.
- 若有人问起，你应该如实回答。If someone asks, you should answer truthfully.
- 要是下雨，我们就在家看电影。If it rains, we'll stay at home and watch a movie.
- 如果你累了的话，可以休息一下。If you are tired, you can take a break.
- 如果明天下雨，我就不去公园了。If it rains tomorrow, I won't go to the park.
- 要是你喜欢，我们可以一起去看音乐会。If you like, we can go to the concert together.
- 650 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Zihan and Haoran are planning a trip.
- 梓涵 Zihan如果明天下雨，我们不去公园。Rúguǒ míngtiān xiàyǔ, wǒmen bù qù gōngyuán.If it rains tomorrow, we won't go to the park.
- 浩然 Haoran那我们可以去电影院看电影。Nà wǒmen kěyǐ qù diànyǐngyuàn kàn diànyǐng.Then we can go to the cinema to watch a movie.
- 梓涵 Zihan如果你想看，我就买票。Rúguǒ nǐ xiǎng kàn, wǒ jiù mǎi piào.If you want to watch it, I will buy the tickets.
- 浩然 Haoran太好了，谢谢你，梓涵！Tài hǎo le, xièxie nǐ, Zǐhán!Great, thank you, Zihan!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “if” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 如, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
