Chinese word

则

Pronunciation

Pinyinzé

Meaning

  • conjunctionthen

Example

如果没有票，则不能进场。rú guǒ méi yǒu piào zé bù néng jìn chǎng

If you don't have a ticket, then you cannot enter.

Illustration for 则 (then)

More examples

如果他不遵守规定，则要承担责任。rú guǒ tā bù zūn shǒu guī dìng zé yào chéng dān zé rèn

If he does not follow the rules, then he must take responsibility.

Core concept

A written hinge that turns an assumed situation into its consequence.

Common phrases

  • 如果...则...rú guǒ zé

    if ___ then ___

  • 在这种情况下则...zài zhè zhǒng qíng kuàng xià zé

    in this case then ___

Similar words

就jiù: A spoken connector that shows what happens or what is done immediately after a condition.
那么nà me: A spoken connector that introduces the decision or action appropriate in a stated situation.
因此yīn cǐ: A formal written connector that presents a result or conclusion drawn from an earlier fact or cause.
于是yú shì: A formal written connector that introduces an event following from what happened before.

Definition in Chinese

表示在前提成立时引出后项结论的连接词，常见结构为“如果……则……”，多用于书面或正式语体。biǎo shì zài qián tí chéng lì shí yǐn chū hòu xiàng jié lùn de lián jiē cí cháng jiàn jié gòu wèi rú guǒ zé duō yòng yú shū miàn huò zhèng shì yú tǐ

Word origin

则 (zé, "then") is linked to the older meaning of a rule or guiding standard, which led to its use for the outcome governed by a condition.

Usage tips

  • Recognizing this word helps identify formal conditions in notices, instructions, and other written Chinese, even though conversation usually uses another connector.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word