的话

de huà

HSK 3.0 Level 3 Particle Common

Definitions

1. if (coming after a conditional clause)

Word relationships

Related words

4 items

• 如果 rú guǒ 如果 rú guǒ if Used in conditional clauses; 的话 is often appended to the clause for colloquial emphasis.: if
• 要是 yào shi 要是 yào shi (coll.) if Another colloquial conditional marker; 的话 can be added for emphasis.: (coll.) if
• 假如 jiǎ rú 假如 jiǎ rú if Formal conditional conjunction; less commonly paired with 的话.: if
• 万一 wàn yī 万一 wàn yī just in case Means 'in case'; often used with 的话 for hypothetical situations.: just in case

Usage notes

Collocations

的话 is attached to the end of a conditional clause, often after 如果, 要是, or no conjunction. It adds a colloquial, hypothetical tone.

Common mistakes

Avoid using 的话 in formal writing or with 假如, as it can sound overly casual or redundant.

Example Sentences

2 shown

他仔细揣摩老师 的话 ，想理解其中的深意。

He carefully pondered the teacher's words, trying to understand the deeper meaning.

如果你有空 的话 ，我们去看电影吧。

If you are free, let's go watch a movie.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 的话

• 的 的 de: of; ~'s (possessive particle)
• 的 的 dī: see 的士[dī shì]
• 的 的 dí: really and truly
• 的 的 dì: (bound form) bull's-eye; target
• 话 话 huà: dialect