Conditional Sentences: 如果…就, 只要…就
如果 (rúguǒ) states a hypothetical condition; 就 (jiù) introduces the result that follows if the condition is met. Structure: 如果 + Condition，就 + Result.
只要 (zhǐyào, 'as long as') is stronger than 如果 — it means the condition alone is enough, no exceptions needed. Structure: 只要 + Condition，就 + Result.
- 如果...就... = 'if...then...' (general hypothetical)
- 只要...就... = 'as long as...then...' (minimum sufficient condition)
❌ 如果下雨，我不去。(missing 就 — weaker, less natural)
✅ 如果下雨，我就不去。
Worked examples
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | What it shows |
|---|---|---|---|
| 如果明天下雨，我就不去公园了。 | Rú guǒ míng tiān xià yǔ, wǒ jiù bú qù gōng yuán le. | If it rains tomorrow, I won't go to the park. | Minimal 如果...就 frame with a negated result. |
| 如果你有问题，就可以问老师。 | Rú guǒ nǐ yǒu wèn tí, jiù kě yǐ wèn lǎo shī. | If you have a question, you can ask the teacher. | Adds the modal 可以 after 就. |
| 只要你每天学习，就一定能学好中文。 | Zhǐ yào nǐ měi tiān xué xí, jiù yī dìng néng xué hǎo Zhōng wén. | As long as you study every day, you can definitely learn Chinese well. | 只要 (stronger, sufficient-condition) replaces 如果; adds 一定 (certainly). |
What you need first
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What this opens up
These patterns list Conditional Sentences among their own prerequisites, so they become readable once this one holds.
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