条件

• Pinyin: tiáo jiàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 条 = strip, item; 件 = 亻(person) + 牛 (cow) — a piece, item, or matter

Meaning

Condition; requirement; terms. Refers to circumstances or prerequisites that must be met.

Can mean both external circumstances (生活条件, living conditions) and prerequisites for something (入学条件, admission requirements). Often used with 有/没有 to describe whether conditions are met. Also appears in 条件好 (good conditions/qualifications).

Examples

1. 这个工作的条件很好。 The conditions for this job are very good.
2. 你需要什么条件才能答应？ What conditions do you need before you can agree?
3. 学校的条件比以前好多了。 The school's conditions are much better than before.

Usage Guide

Context: work, negotiation, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这里的生活条件不错。(The living conditions here are quite good.)
• 他的条件很符合要求。(His qualifications match the requirements well.)

Don't Say

• 条件天气很好 (Don't use 条件 to describe weather — use 天气 directly; 条件 refers to circumstances or requirements, not atmospheric conditions)

Origin & History

条 (tiáo, strip/item) + 件 (jiàn, piece/matter). Items or matters that must be accounted for — prerequisites.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal