如果 (rúguǒ) — if; supposing that

如果 (rúguǒ)

如果 means "if" or "supposing that." It introduces a hypothetical or conditional situation, and the result clause often contains 就 (jiù, then).

Meanings

1. [conjunction] If; supposing; in the event that (introduces a condition).

Example Sentences

如果明天下雨，我就不去了。 Rúguǒ míngtiān xià yǔ, wǒ jiù bù qù le. If it rains tomorrow, I will not go.

如果你饿了，就告诉我。 Rúguǒ nǐ è le, jiù gàosu wǒ. If you are hungry, just let me know.

如果有问题，可以问我。 Rúguǒ yǒu wèntí, kěyǐ wèn wǒ. If you have questions, you can ask me.

如果你学习努力，就会成功。 Rúguǒ nǐ xuéxí nǔlì, jiù huì chénggōng. If you study hard, you will succeed.

Usage Notes

如果 typically appears at the start of the first clause. The result clause is often introduced by 就 (jiù, then) to complete the if-then structure: 如果……就……. 如果 can be shortened to 若 (ruò) in formal written Chinese. A similar word 要是 (yàoshi) is more colloquial and interchangeable in everyday speech. Unlike English, the conditional and result clauses use the same verb tense in Chinese — there is no subjunctive.

Collocations or Common Phrases

Memory Hook

如果 sounds like "roo-gwaw" — imagine a kangaroo (roo) eating a guava (gwaw) — if a kangaroo eats a guava, something will happen.