如果

rúguǒ

conjunction HSK 2 #60

Meanings

Literally 'like the result' — if the result is such...

如果下雨，我就不去了。

Rúguǒ xiàyǔ, wǒ jiù bú qù le.

If it rains, I won't go.

如果你有时间，我们一起去吧。

Rúguǒ nǐ yǒu shíjiān, wǒmen yìqǐ qù ba.

If you have time, let's go together.

如果我是你，我会去。

Rúguǒ wǒ shì nǐ, wǒ huì qù.

If I were you, I would go.

grammar

如果...就... is the standard 'if...then...' pattern in Chinese. 就 (jiù) is optional but very common in the second clause.

mistakes

Don't confuse 如果 (if) with 因为 (yīnwèi, because). 如果 introduces a hypothetical condition; 因为 introduces a reason.

如 rú

果 guǒ