如果 … ，就 … (if …, then …)

A backup plan depends on rain

The group plans not to go outside if it rains.
if如果rú guǒrain下雨xià yǔ，we / us我们wǒ menthen就jiùnot不bùgo去qù。 — Rain is the condition; not going is the planned consequence.

Practice

The group plans not to go outside if it rains. What does 如果下雨，我们就不去。 communicate?

The sentence proves that it is raining already.
Rain is the condition; not going is the planned consequence.

Build the form

The pattern in this lesson is if如果rú guǒ … ，then就jiù … (if …, then …). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.

if如果rú guǒrain下雨xià yǔ，then就jiùnot不bùgo去qù。

Practice

Using the lesson pattern in this demonstrated example: If it rains, we won't go: 如果下雨，____ 不去。

Read examples in context

In the opening example, if如果rú guǒrain下雨xià yǔ，we / us我们wǒ menthen就jiùnot不bùgo去qù。: Rain is the condition; not going is the planned consequence.
Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Practice

In 如果 … ，就 …, which part is the result?

Practice

Build: “If it rains, we won't go.”

如果下雨 (if it rains)
就 (then)
不去 (won't go)

Know the boundary

if如果rú guǒrain下雨xià yǔ，we / us我们wǒ mennot不bùgo去qù is also possible.
then就jiù often makes the condition-result link explicit, but is not compulsory in every if如果rú guǒ sentence. No rain has been asserted yet.

Practice

The result clause usually keeps 就.

Practice

In the opening situation: Rain is the condition; not going is the planned consequence.

Use the distinction

Key idea

Rain is the condition; not going is the planned consequence.
if如果rú guǒrain下雨xià yǔ，we / us我们wǒ mennot不bùgo去qù is also possible. then就jiù often makes the condition-result link explicit, but is not compulsory in every if如果rú guǒ sentence. No rain has been asserted yet.

Read the full reference: HSK 3 grammar — Complex sentence patterns.

Practice

The group plans not to go outside if it rains. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.