要是...就 (if...then)

• 拼音: yàoshi...jiù
• 结构: 要是 + Subj. + Condition，就 + Result
• 汉字拆解: 要 = 覀 (west/cover) + 女 (woman), 是 = 日 (sun) + 疋 (foot/correct)

含义

The pattern 要是...就... is a colloquial way to express 'if...then...' in Chinese. 要是 is a more casual synonym of 如果, commonly used in everyday spoken Mandarin. The result clause typically contains 就.

要是 is functionally identical to 如果 but carries a more casual, conversational tone. It is preferred in spoken Chinese and informal writing, while 如果 works across all registers. Like 如果, 要是 can appear at the start of the sentence or after the subject. The result clause uses 就 to connect the consequence to the condition. 要是 is sometimes combined with 的话 for extra softness: 要是你不想去的话，就算了 (if you don't want to go, forget it). In northern Chinese dialects, 要是 is particularly common. It cannot be used in very formal or legal contexts where 如果 or 若 would be more appropriate.

例句

1. 要是你早点说，我就不用跑这一趟了。
2. 要是明天有空，我就去找你。
3. 要是觉得累，就先休息一会儿。

用法指南

语境: spoken, everyday

语气: conversational

正确说法

• 要是你不想吃这个，就点别的吧。
• 要是他还没回来，我们就先走。
• 要是周末天气好，我们去爬山吧。

错误说法

• 要是明天下雨，可是我们不去了。(要是 pairs with 就, not 可是 — 可是 indicates contrast, not a conditional result) → 要是明天下雨，我们就不去了。
• 我就不去了要是明天下雨。(The 要是 condition clause must come before the 就 result clause — Chinese conditionals follow condition-then-result order) → 要是明天下雨，我就不去了。

起源与历史

要是 literally combines 要 (want/need) and 是 (to be), suggesting 'if it were to be the case.' It developed as a vernacular conditional marker in spoken Chinese and has been a hallmark of colloquial Mandarin for centuries, particularly in northern dialects.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal