Chinese word

要是

Pronunciation

Pinyinyào shì

Meaning

  • conjunctionif

Example

要是明天下雨，我们就在家看电影。yào shì míng tiān xià yǔ wǒ men jiù zài jiā kàn diàn yǐng

If it rains tomorrow, we will watch a movie at home.

Illustration for 要是 (if)

More examples

要是你来，我们就一起吃饭。yào shì nǐ lái wǒ men jiù yì qǐ chī fàn

If you come, we will eat together.

Core concept

A conversational frame that opens a possible situation and points toward the choice or response that may follow.

Common phrases

  • 要是...就...yào shì jiù

    if ___ then ___

  • 要是的话yào shì de huà

    if so

  • 要是有空yào shì yǒu kòng

    if you have time

Similar words

如果rú guǒ: Sets up a condition in a neutral way in speech or writing.
假如jiǎ rú: Presents a supposition in a slightly formal style.
万一wàn yī: Presents a low-probability possibility that calls for preparation.
要不然yào bù rán: Points to another result or action if the first condition is not met.

Definition in Chinese

用于提出假设性情形，表示'要是……（的话）'，常带有为将来采取对策或安排的含义，口语中使用率高。yòng yú tí chū jiǎ shè xìng qíng xíng biǎo shì yào shì de huà cháng dài yǒu wéi jiāng lái cái qǔ duì cè huò ān pái de hán yì kóu yǔ zhōng shǐ yòng lǜ gāo

Word origin

The parts 要 (yào, "want or need") + 是 (shì, "be") join into a fixed spoken conjunction that sets up an imagined case.

Usage tips

  • Because this word is common in conversation, recognizing it early tells listeners to keep the next clause open until the speaker gives the matching plan or result.

Other meanings

  • supposeconjunction

Word lists with this word