要是

yào shi

HSK 2.0 Level 5 HSK 3.0 Level 4 Conjunction Common

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Definitions

1. (coll.) if

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Word relationships

Related words

1 item

• 万一 wàn yī 万一 wàn yī just in case 用于可能性极小的假设: just in case

Synonyms

3 items

• 如果 rú guǒ 如果 rú guǒ if 用于假设条件，更正式: if
• 假如 jiǎ rú 假如 jiǎ rú if 用于假设条件，较书面: if
• 倘若 tǎng ruò 倘若 tǎng ruò if; supposing; in case 用于假设条件，很正式: if; supposing; in case

Usage notes

Collocations

Often used with 的话 at the end of the clause: 要是...的话.

Formality

Colloquial; mainly used in spoken Chinese, less common in formal writing.

Grammar

Guides that feature 要是

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2 guides

HSK 2.0 Level 4+ HSK 3.0 Level 4+ 6 min

...，否则... and 要不然 for “Otherwise”

Use 否则, 要不然 and 不然 to say what will happen if something doesn’t.

Reading: yào shi Open guide

HSK 2.0 Level 4+ HSK 3.0 Level 4+ 6 min

要是...，就... for Everyday “If … Then …”

Use 要是 as a spoken “if,” often with 的话 after the condition and 就 before the result.

Reading: yào shi Open guide

Example Sentences

1 shown

要是 下雨，我们就不去了。

If it rains, we won't go.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 要是

• 需要是发明之母 需要是发明之母 xū yào shì fā míng zhī mǔ: Necessity is the mother of invention (European proverb).

Child Words of 要是

• 是 是 shì: to be (followed by substantives only)
• 要 要 yāo: (bound form) to demand; to coerce
• 要 要 yào: to want; to need; to ask for