Meaning of 假如
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- if
How to use 假如
假如 introduces a supposed or hypothetical condition, often followed by 就 in the second half of the sentence. It sounds a little more formal or imaginative than 如果 (rúguǒ). Example: 假如明天下雨，我们就不去了。(Jiǎrú míngtiān xià yǔ, wǒmen jiù bú qù le.) If it rains tomorrow, we won't go.
假 (jiǎ) means false or pretend, and 如 (rú) means as if. Together 假如 is like saying "let's pretend it is so," which is how you set up an "if" situation.
Common mistake: Learners mix up the two readings of 假. In 假如 it is third tone jiǎ (false), but in 放假 (fàngjià) and 请假 (qǐngjià) it is fourth tone jià (holiday, leave). Also, do not confuse 假如 with 比如 (bǐrú), which means "for example," not "if."
假如 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
假 jiǎ · fake · 11 strokes
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如 rú · as · 6 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 假如.
| 放假 | fàngjià | to have a holiday or vacation |
| 请假 | qǐngjià | to request leave of absence |
| 如果 | rúguǒ | if; in case; in the event that |
| 不如 | bùrú | not equal to; not as good as; inferior to; it would be better to |
| 比如 | bǐrú | for example; for instance; such as |
| 比如说 | bǐrú shuō | for example |
| 例如 | lìrú | for example; for instance; such as |
| 假期 | jiàqī | holiday period; vacation |
| 休假 | xiūjià | to go on vacation; to have a holiday; to take leave |
| 如何 | rúhé | how; what way |
| 如今 | rújīn | nowadays; now |
| 暑假 | shǔjià | summer vacation |
Questions about 假如
What does 假如 mean?
假如 (jiǎrú) means "if" and is used as a conjunction.
How do you write 假如?
假如 is made of 2 characters: 假 (11 strokes), 如 (6 strokes). That is 17 strokes in total.
Is 假如 an HSK word?
Yes. 假如 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 假如 and 如果?
Both mean "if" and can often replace each other. 如果 (rúguǒ) is the everyday default in speech. 假如 leans more toward imagined or unlikely situations and appears more in writing or storytelling.
Can I put 的话 after a 假如 clause?
Yes. 假如……的话 is a common pattern, as in 假如你有时间的话，来找我。(Jiǎrú nǐ yǒu shíjiān dehuà, lái zhǎo wǒ.) If you have time, come find me. The 的话 is optional and just makes the condition sound softer.