若…则…
if …, then …: written 如果…就…
Structure
若／如 条件 ， 则 结果
What it means
If …, then …: the written 如果…就…, used to state a condition and its result.
How it is built
若／如 + condition，则 + result: 若有疑问，则可向工作人员咨询 (If you have questions, you may ask the staff).
When to use it
Both words are classical survivals, common in laws, contracts and science. 若 alone (without 则) is common too, as are 倘若 and 假若. In speech use 如果／要是…就….
Watch out
Don’t mix registers: ✗ 要是…则… ✓ 若…则… or 要是…就…. In 若干 (a certain number), 若 does not mean “if”.
Examples
若因不可抗力导致合同无法履行，则双方互不承担违约责任。
If force majeure makes performance impossible, neither side bears liability.
若有疑问，则可向工作人员咨询。
If you have questions, you may ask the staff.
Learn this in Lesson 104 · HSK 7–9: 法律与合同 (Law and contracts)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. This lesson is free.
Open the lesson →