要是
How to Say
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How to Write
Meaning: if
How to Understand
要是
要是 is a conjunction that means 'if' or 'in the case of'. It introduces a conditional situation, often used to express hypothetical scenarios or to suggest possibilities.
The character 要 (yào) originally meant 'to want' or 'need', while 是 (shì) is a linking verb meaning 'is' or 'to be'. Together, 要是 can be understood as 'if it were the case that...' or 'in the event that...'
要是 is commonly used in spoken Chinese and is more colloquial than formal alternatives like 如果 (rúguǒ). It appears frequently in daily conversations, stories, and even in literature to introduce imagined or potential situations. Understanding its use helps learners grasp how Chinese expresses conditions and possibilities.
Example Sentences
要是他来，我们就能开始会议了。
If he comes, we can start the meeting.
要是你喜欢在家吃饭，那我们就别出去了。
If you prefer eating at home, then we don't need to go out.