倘若…
if; supposing (written 如果)
Structure
倘若／假如／若 假设 ， （就／也许）结果
What it means
If; supposing: a written word for 如果 that sets up a condition or a hypothesis.
How it is built
倘若 + condition，(就／也许) + result: 倘若你有时间，不妨来看看 (If you have time, you might come and have a look).
When to use it
The “if” family by register: 要是 (spoken), 如果 (neutral), 假如 (hypothetical), 倘若 and 若 (written). 倘若 suits formal writing and counterfactuals: 倘若没有它们… (had they not existed…).
Watch out
It sounds stilted in casual chat: ✗ 倘若你饿了，我们去吃饭吧 ✓ 要是你饿了，我们去吃饭吧. The result clause often takes 就, 便 or 也许 to link back.
Examples
倘若没有它们，欧洲的文艺复兴也许要推迟很久。
Had they not existed, Europe’s Renaissance might have been long delayed.
倘若你有时间，不妨来看看。
If you have time, you might come and have a look.
Learn this in Lesson 80 · HSK 6–7: 四大发明 (The four great inventions)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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