How To Say "If" In Mandarin Chinese (Conditionals)

Conditional sentences are “if” sentences.

These sentences help to describe the likely results when a certain condition is met, express what could have happened, what will happen, or what you wish will happen under specific conditions.

In Mandarin Chinese, there are several ways to express “if”, and they’re important to learn since they appear often in daily conversations.

Let’s look at how you can form these conditional sentences in Mandarin Chinese.

Future conditionals

When using this type of conditional statement, you would typically refer to events or outcomes that are likely to happen if one or more conditions are met.

At times, it can also present as a suggestion that encourages the other party to take a specific action if certain things happen.

The most common way to do this is by using the phrase 如果 (rúguǒ) in Mandarin Chinese.

Let’s look at how you can use this phrase and others to express hypothetical situations.

如果…, 就

English meaning: If…, then

Pinyin / Pronunciation: Rúguǒ…, jiù

This phrase is one of the most commonly used for conditional statements. It contains two parts, 如果, which translates to “if, ” and 就, which translates to “then.”

It works similarly to English, where the “if” or 如果 appears in the conditional clause, and the “then” or 就 in the second half that states the likely outcome. Also, keep in mind that the subject of the clause should always come before the 就.

In English, you can drop the “then.” The same can be done to 就 in Mandarin.

Here are some examples:

如果我升职了，我就请你吃饭。

Rúguǒ wǒ shēng zhíle, wǒ jiù qǐng nǐ chīfàn.

If I get a promotion, I will treat you to a nice meal.

如果明天下雨，我就不出去。

Rúguǒ míngtiān xià yǔ, wǒ jiù bù chūqù.

If it rains tomorrow, then I'm not going out.

如果你没做完你的功课，你妈妈会生气的。

Rúguǒ nǐ méi zuò wán nǐ de gōngkè, nǐ māmā huì shēngqì de.

If you don't finish your homework, your mother will get angry.

如果你爱她，告诉她吧。

Rúguǒ nǐ ài tā, gàosù tā ba.

If you love her, tell her.

If you’d like to sound casual and natural, you can also replace 就 with 那 (nà) or 那么 (nàme). They convey the same meaning and appear together with the outcome part of the sentence.

For instance:

如果你的手机坏了，那买一部新的。

Rúguǒ nǐ de shǒujī huàile, nà mǎi yī bù xīn de.

If your phone isn't working, then buy a new one.

如果你生病，那在家休息吧。

Rúguǒ nǐ shēngbìng, nà zàijiā xiūxí ba.

If you're sick, then stay home and rest.

如果…的话

English meaning: If…

Pinyin / Pronunciation: Rúguǒ…dehuà

Another way to use 如果 is with 的话. When using these together, the correct sentence structure should have the condition positioned in between 如果 and 的话. In other words, you’ll sandwich the condition between the two.

Similar to what we talked about above, you can add 就 to the other half of the sentence to go along with the outcome or result clause. But this is optional.

如果我们不快点的话，我们就要迟到了。

Rúguǒ wǒmen bùkuài diǎn dehuà, wǒmen jiù yào chídàole.

If we don't hurry, then we are going to be late.

如果我明天能早点下班，我们可以一起吃晚饭。

Rúguǒ wǒ míngtiān néng zǎodiǎn xiàbān, wǒmen kěyǐ yīqǐ chī wǎnfàn.

If I can leave work early tomorrow, we can eat dinner together.

如果她不介意的话，我们可以一起拼车去上班。

Rúguǒ tā bù jièyì dehuà, wǒmen kěyǐ yīqǐ pīnchē qù shàngbān.

If she doesn't mind, we can all carpool to work together.

In everyday speech, you can drop the 如果 and just use 的话. This gives your sentence a very informal and casual tone.

For example:

不高兴的话，就不要来。

Nǐ bù gāoxìng dehuà, jiù bùyào lái.

If you are not happy, don't come.

堵车的话, 我就会迟到。

Dǔchē dehuà, wǒ jiù huì chídào.

If there is a traffic jam, I am going to be late.

要是…, 就

English meaning: If…, then

Pinyin / Pronunciation: Yàoshi…, jiù

Note that 要是…, 就 can be used pretty similarly to 如果…, 就. They convey the same meaning and share a similar tone, though 要是 can sometimes have a more casual and informal ring to it.

Keep in mind that the subject of the first clause can come before or after 要是. On the other hand, the subject must always come before 就 in the second clause.

Here are some examples:

要是你不同意，就直说吧。

Yàoshi nǐ bù tóngyì, jiù zhí shuō ba.

If you disagree, just say so.

要是你想看电影，我们现在就要买票。

Yàoshi nǐ xiǎng kàn diànyǐng, wǒmen xiànzài jiù yāo mǎi piào.

If you want to watch a movie, we have to buy tickets now.

You can also drop the 就 or shorten 要是 to just 要.

For example:

要是你想在这家餐厅吃，你需要预约。

Yàoshi nǐ xiǎng zài zhè jiā cāntīng chī, nǐ xūyào yùyuē.

If you want to eat at this restaurant, you have to make a reservation.

要不听话，我帮不了你。

Nǐ yào bù tīnghuà, wǒ bāng bùliǎo nǐ.

If you don't listen, I cannot help you.

Additionally, you can add 的话 at the end of the first clause. Here’s an example:

要是你不能过来的话，我们明天可以过去。

Yàoshi nǐ bùnéng guòlái dehuà, wǒmen míngtiān kěyǐ guòqù.

If you can't drop by, we can go over tomorrow.

只有…, 才

English meaning: Only if…then can (you)

Pinyin / Pronunciation: Zhǐyǒu…, Cái

This phrase is used to convey the message that the only way to achieve a specific desired outcome is by meeting the suggested conditions.

The 只有, which means “only if,” comes before the conditional clause. The 才 comes before the desirable result. The 才 is often followed right after by a 能, but this is not always the case. The 才 helps to highlight that only this single course of action can bring about the wanted results.

Here are some examples:

只有努力学习，才能取得好成绩。

Zhǐyǒu nǔlì xuéxí, cáinéng qǔdé hǎo chéngjī.

Only by studying hard can you achieve good grades.

只有每天运动，才能减肥。

Zhǐyǒu měitiān yùndòng, cáinéng jiǎnféi.

Only by exercising every day can you then lose weight.

除非…, 才

English meaning: Only if…, then can (you)

Pinyin / Pronunciation: Chúfēi…, Cái

This phrase is extremely similar to the one above. It also conveys the meaning of “if and only if.” This lets the other person know that this is the one and only way for the desired outcome to happen.

Here’s an example:

除非你听话，我才能帮助你。

Chúfēi nǐ tīnghuà, wǒ cáinéng bāngzhù nǐ.

I can only help you if you listen to me.

You can also use 除非 (chúfēi) with 否则 (fǒuzé) or 不然 (bùrán). When combining 除非 with either 否则 or 不然, your sentence will have the meaning of “Unless this happens, that will happen.”

For instance:

除非她去看医生，否则她不会好起来。

Chúfēi tā qù kàn yīshēng, fǒuzé tā bù huì hǎo qǐlái.

Unless she sees the doctor, she won't get any better.

除非你有预约，不然你无法看医生。

Chúfēi nǐ yǒu yùyuē, bùrán nǐ wúfǎ kàn yīshēng.

Unless you have an appointment, you won't be able to see the doctor.

只要…, 就

English meaning: As long as…, then

Pinyin / Pronunciation: Zhǐyào…, jiù

只要 translates to “as long as” in English. You can 只要 in the same way as you would use “as long as” in English.

Basically, 只要…, 就 conveys the meaning that as long as the stated condition is met, the outcome in the second clause will happen.

Here are some examples:

只要你多练习，你就能弹钢琴。

Zhǐyào nǐ duō liànxí, nǐ jiù néng dàn gāngqín.

As long as you practice, you'll be able to play the piano.

只要你在我身边，我就会很幸福。

Zhǐyào nǐ zài wǒ shēnbiān, wǒ jiù huì hěn xìngfú.

As long as you're by my side, I will be very happy.

只要你高兴，我也会高兴。

Zhǐyào nǐ gāoxìng, wǒ yě huì gāoxìng.

As long as you're happy, I will be happy, too.

The biggest difference between 只要 and 只有 is this: 只要 shows that the action is one of many ways to achieve the outcome, though it is a very reliable method to do so. Meanwhile, 只有 means that the conditions stated are the only single method of achieving the desired results.

假使…, 就

English meaning: If…, then

Pinyin / Pronunciation: Jiǎshǐ…, jiù

Compared to 如果 and 要是, 假使 is a much more formal way of saying “if.” It’s primarily used in written formal Mandarin, so you won’t hear it in daily conversations.

The following are some examples:

假使我们不能就此达成一致，我们就无法开始这任务。

Jiǎshǐ wǒmen bùnéng jiùcǐ dáchéng yīzhì, wǒmen jiù wúfǎ kāishǐ zhè rènwù.

If we cannot agree on this, we cannot begin this project.

假使你没有通过这次考试，你将无法毕业。

Jiǎshǐ nǐ méiyǒu tōngguò zhè cì kǎoshì, nǐ jiāng wúfǎ bìyè.

If you fail this exam, you will not be able to graduate.

假如…, 就

English meaning: If…, then

Pinyin / Pronunciation: Jiǎrú…, jiù

假如 carries the same meaning as 如果 and 要是. It can be used in spoken and written Chinese, but it tends to be more formal than the other two.

假如 comes together with the first clause of the sentence explaining the conditions. Meanwhile, 就 appears in the second clause, which mentions the outcome. You can also drop the 就.

For instance:

假如你因生病而无法上学，请告知你的老师。

Jiǎrú nǐ yīn shēngbìng ér wúfǎ shàngxué, qǐng gàozhī nǐ de lǎoshī.

If you're unable to attend school due to you not feeling well, please inform your teacher.

如果你不明白，我可以解释基础知识。

Rúguǒ nǐ bù míngbái, wǒ kěyǐ jiěshì jīchǔ zhīshì.

If you don't understand, I can explain the basics to you.

一旦…, 就

English meaning: Once…, then

Pinyin / Pronunciation: Yīdàn…, jiù

This phrase is used to express cause and effect. It clarifies that once something happens, a certain event will also take place.

For example:

一旦太阳落山，天气就会很冷。

Yīdàn tàiyáng luòshān, tiānqì jiù huì hěn lěng.

Once the sun sets, the weather will get very cold.

一旦我拿到驾照，我就载你到处走走。

Yīdàn wǒ ná dào jiàzhào, wǒ jiù zài nǐ dàochù zǒu zǒu.

Once I get my driving license, I'll drive you around.

Conditional sentences expressing facts

This type of conditional sentence talks about general truths and facts, as well as events that typically or regularly happen when certain conditions are met.

The most common way to do this is by using 当…时 (dāng… shí). Essentially, you can use this to show that when event A occurs, event B will also take place as well.

For example:

当你在雨中开车时，道路会很滑。

Dāng nǐ zài yǔzhōng kāichē shí, dàolù huì hěn huá.

When you drive in the rain, the roads will be slippery.

当我在你身边时，我感到幸福。

Dāng wǒ zài nǐ shēnbiān shí, wǒ gǎndào xìngfú.

When I'm next to you, I feel happy.

You can also use 每当…时 (měi dāng…shí) in a similar manner. It conveys the meaning of “whenever this happens, that will happen, too.”

Here are some examples:

当天气热的时，她就会吃冰淇淋。

Měi dàng tiānqì rè de shí, tā jiù huì chī bīngqílín.

Whenever the weather is hot, she will eat ice cream.

当老师离开课堂，学生们就会吵闹起来。

Měi dāng lǎoshī líkāi kètáng, xuéshēngmen jiù huì chǎonào qǐlái.

Whenever the teacher leaves the classroom, the students will become noisy.

Past conditionals

There are also conditional sentences in Mandarin Chinese linked to the past. These usually involve hypothetical situations that could have occurred differently if a certain condition was met.

You can use the phrase we discussed earlier to 如果 to build this type of conditional sentence. Again, you can pair it with 就 or simply leave it out.

Here are some examples of conditional sentences that talk about past events:

如果我早知道这件事，我就不会借他钱了。

Rúguǒ wǒ zǎo zhīdào zhè jiàn shì, wǒ jiù bù huì jiè tā qiánle.

If I had known about this earlier, I wouldn't have lent him the money.

You can also use 要不是…, 就 (yào bùshì…, jiù) to create conditional sentences talking about the past. This phrase translates to “if it were not for…” or “without.” 要不是 is sometimes followed by 的话.

The second clause in the sentence talks about what could have happened.

For instance:

要不是你这么忙，我就会请你一起吃晚饭了。

Yào bùshì nǐ zhème máng, wǒ jiù huì qǐng nǐ yīqǐ chī wǎnfànle.

If it weren't for you being so busy, I would have asked you to join us for dinner.

Conclusion

如果 is the most common way to say “if” and build conditional sentences in Mandarin Chinese. 要是 and 假如 can also be used in the same way.

There are also specific phrases like 只要 and 只有, which means “as long as” and “only if” respectively. These can also be used to create conditional sentences.

With a little practice, you’ll know which “if” fits best in your sentence.

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