若: Formal If in Chinese
若
若 is a concise formal connector introducing a condition, similar to if. It precedes a complete condition clause, followed by a result or recommendation. A result marker such as 就, 可, or 则 may appear in the second clause, but it cannot be stacked beside 若 or left without a result.
Published July 23, 2026
Reviewed July 23, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
若 + Condition, (Subject +) 就 / 可 / 则 + Result
Read the structure
若 is a concise formal connector introducing a condition, similar to if. It precedes a complete condition clause, followed by a result or recommendation. A result marker such as 就, 可, or 则 may appear in the second clause, but it cannot be stacked beside 若 or left without a result. Keep the model 若 + Condition, (Subject +) 就 / 可 / 则 + Result visible while you compare each sentence.
若这个时间不方便，我们就换一个。
If this time is inconvenient, we will choose another.
Choose the right context
State a formal condition in writing. Introduce a condition before advice or a result. Use it as a concise alternative to 如果.
若有问题，请及时联系我。
If there are any problems, please contact me promptly.
Respect the boundary
Do not stack 就 directly after 若 before the condition. Do not attach 了 to 若. Do not leave the result marker without a result.
若就天气转好，比赛继续。
(If then the weather improves, the match continues.)
Repair the pattern
The result marker is stacked before the condition: 若 introduces the condition; 就 belongs in the following result clause. The result marker has no result: 就 must introduce a complete result predicate.
若天气转好，比赛就继续。
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
若这个时间不方便，我们就换一个。
If this time is inconvenient, we will choose another.
若
若
This part occupies the 若 position in the model pattern.
这个
Condition, (Subject
This part occupies the Condition, (Subject position in the model pattern.
时间
) 就 / 可 / 则
This part occupies the ) 就 / 可 / 则 position in the model pattern.
不
Result
This part occupies the Result position in the model pattern.
方便
若
This part occupies the 若 position in the model pattern.
，
Condition, (Subject
This part occupies the Condition, (Subject position in the model pattern.
我们
) 就 / 可 / 则
This part occupies the ) 就 / 可 / 则 position in the model pattern.
就
Result
This part occupies the Result position in the model pattern.
换
若
This part occupies the 若 position in the model pattern.
一个
Condition, (Subject
This part occupies the Condition, (Subject position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
若这个时间不方便，我们就换一个。
If this time is inconvenient, we will choose another.
若有问题，请及时联系我。
If there are any problems, please contact me promptly.
若天气转好，比赛即可继续。
If the weather improves, the match may continue.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- State a formal condition in writing.
- Introduce a condition before advice or a result.
- Use it as a concise alternative to 如果.
Do not use it when
- Do not stack 就 directly after 若 before the condition.
- Do not attach 了 to 若.
- Do not leave the result marker without a result.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
若就天气转好，比赛继续。
若天气转好，比赛就继续。
The result marker is stacked before the condition
若 introduces the condition; 就 belongs in the following result clause.
若天气转好，比赛就。
若天气转好，比赛就继续。
The result marker has no result
就 must introduce a complete result predicate.
若就天气转好，比赛继续。
若 introduces the condition; 就 belongs in the following result clause.
若天气转好，比赛就。
就 must introduce a complete result predicate.
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with 若.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 若. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
若: Formal If Questions
How is 若 different from 如果?
Their conditional logic overlaps, but 若 is more concise and formal or literary.
Is 就 required after 若?
No. A result can be introduced by 就, 可, 则, an imperative, or no explicit marker when the relation is clear.
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: GF0025-2021 Appendix A, Level 6 item 【六21】, 连接分句或句子：不料、可、若
Supports placement in HSK 6; it does not independently establish the usage explanation.
Official sourceA Reference Grammar of Chinese
Huang, Shi and Li · Cambridge University Press · 2022
Locator: Chapter 14, §14.7, conditional complex sentences
Describes formal condition-result clause relations and the placement of condition and result markers in separate clauses.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Compare
即便……也……即便…也…: Conceding an Extreme Condition
Compare this lesson with 即便……也…… preserving a result under a hypothetical obstacle; both belong to conditional and concessive hypothetical frames, but they organize a different sentence role or discourse job.
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要不是要不是: If It Had Not Been For
Compare this lesson with 要不是 introducing a counterfactual condition; both belong to conditional and concessive hypothetical frames, but they organize a different sentence role or discourse job.
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任……也……任…也…: No Matter What
Compare this lesson with 任……也…… preserving a result regardless of an alternative; both belong to conditional and concessive hypothetical frames, but they organize a different sentence role or discourse job.
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假如…（就）…假如...就...: Suppose That
Continue with the reviewed follow-up lesson to apply this pattern inside a broader, explicitly connected grammar construction.
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