要是……（的话），就……
if A, (then) B: the everyday spoken “if”
Structure
要是 条件 （的话） ，（主语） + 就 + 结果
What it means
The everyday spoken “if”: if A happens, then B. 要是……就好了 means “if only…”.
How it is built
要是 + condition (+ 的话)，subject + 就 + result: 要是明天不下雨，我们就去爬山 (If it doesn’t rain tomorrow, we’ll go hiking). 要是 can go before or after the subject: 要是你不想去 = 你要是不想去.
When to use it
Means the same as 如果 (如果……就……) but sounds more casual, so it suits conversation; 如果 fits speech and writing. You can close the “if” part with 的话: 要是你有时间的话，就来吧.
Watch out
就 goes after the subject, not before it: ✗ 要是下雨，就我们不去了 ✓ 要是下雨，我们就不去了.
Examples
要是明天不下雨，我们就去爬山。
If it doesn’t rain tomorrow, we’ll go hiking.
要是你有时间的话，就来我家吃饭吧。
If you’ve got time, come round to mine for dinner.
要是你不喜欢这个专业，就换一个吧。
If you don’t like this major, switch to another one.
要是我会说汉语就好了！
If only I could speak Chinese!
Learn this in HSK 3 · Lesson 20: 我想创业 (Starting up)
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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