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HSK 7

倘若/假设/假使/若⋯⋯ ，就/那（么）⋯⋯

tǎng ruò / jiǎ shè / jiǎ shǐ / ruò ⋯ ⋯ ， jiù / nà （ me ） ⋯ ⋯

Hypothetical structure: 若/倘若/假设/假使 …, 就/那(么) …

Explanation

This is a hypothetical compound-sentence construction (a sentence with two or more clauses joined by conjunctions), stating a condition/assumption and then indicating the result: 若/倘若/假设/假使……，就/那(么)…… means 'if/suppose……, then……'.

Structure

若/倘若/假设/假使 (ruò / tǎngruò / jiǎshè / jiǎshǐ, all meaning 'if, suppose') + (the hypothetical condition), + 就/那(么) (jiù / nà(me) 'then') + (the corresponding result).

When to use

when putting forward a hypothetical situation (often not real) to infer a result; this group of words carries a formal/written flavor (used in books and documents) and is more formal than 如果 (rúguǒ) and 要是 (yàoshi), which are commonly used in speech.

Distinguish

若 (ruò) is the most formal/classical (a classical usage still surviving in modern Chinese); 倘若 (tǎngruò) and 假使 (jiǎshǐ) lean toward written language; 假设 (jiǎshè), besides meaning 'suppose', also functions as a noun 'hypothesis'. In basic meaning they can substitute for one another.

Common mistakes

keep the formality consistent—when using these conjunctions, the latter clause pairs with 就/那么 (jiù / nàme); avoid mixing in an overly colloquial style; and do not drop the linking word 'then' in the result clause, which would leave the sentence disjointed.

Examples

倘若一点儿音乐知识都没有，就会遇到困难。
tǎngruòyìdiǎnryīnyuèzhīshidōuméiyǒu，jiùhuìyùdàokùnnán。

If one has no knowledge of music whatsoever, one will run into difficulties.

假设这是我们未来的家园，那这个世界就不会再有饥饿的儿童。
jiǎshèzhèshìwǒmenwèiláidejiāyuán，nàzhègeshìjièjiùbúhuìzàiyǒujīèdeértóng。

Suppose this were our home of the future, then this world would no longer have hungry children.

假使一切能重新开始，那么我绝不会选择这一条路。
jiǎshǐyíqiènéngchóngxīnkāishǐ，nàmewǒjuébúhuìxuǎnzézhèyìtiáolù。

If everything could start over from the beginning, then I would absolutely never choose this path.

Practice

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Learn “倘若/假设/假使/若⋯⋯ ，就/那（么）⋯⋯” effectively

The grammar point “倘若/假设/假使/若⋯⋯ ，就/那（么）⋯⋯” (Hypothetical structure: 若/倘若/假设/假使 …, 就/那(么) …) is one of the key structures at HSK 7. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.

Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.

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