Meaning of 如果
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- if; in case; in the event that
How to use 如果
如果 introduces a condition and usually comes at the start of the sentence, often paired with 就 (jiù) in the second half. Example: 如果明天下雨，我就不去了。(Rúguǒ míngtiān xià yǔ, wǒ jiù bù qù le.) If it rains tomorrow, I won't go.
如 (rú) means "like, as" and 果 (guǒ) means "fruit" or "result," the same 果 you see in 水果 (shuǐguǒ) fruit and 结果 (jiéguǒ). Think of 如果 as "as for the result": if this happens, here is what follows.
Common mistake: Learners often put 如果 at the end like English "...if it rains," but in Chinese the condition clause almost always comes first. Also do not mix it up with 比如 (bǐrú), which means "for example," even though both contain 如.
如果 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.
如 rú · as · 6 strokes
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- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
果 guǒ · fruit · 8 strokes
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- 2
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- 5
- 6
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- 8
Related words
Words that share a character with 如果.
| 水果 | shuǐguǒ | fruit |
| 结果 | jiéguǒ | to bear fruit |
| 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 |
| 如何 | rúhé | how; what way |
| 果然 | guǒrán | really; sure enough |
| 效果 | xiàoguǒ | result; effect |
| 后果 | hòuguǒ | consequences; aftermath |
| 苹果 | píngguǒ | apple |
| 果汁 | guǒzhī | fruit juice |
Questions about 如果
What does 如果 mean?
如果 (rúguǒ) means "if; in case; in the event that" and is used as a conjunction.
How do you write 如果?
如果 is made of 2 characters: 如 (6 strokes), 果 (8 strokes). That is 14 strokes in total.
Is 如果 an HSK word?
Yes. 如果 is on the HSK 2 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 如果 and 要是?
Both mean "if." 要是 (yàoshi) is more casual and common in speech, while 如果 works in both spoken and written Chinese.
Can I use 的话 with 如果?
Yes. You can say 如果……的话 (rúguǒ... dehuà) to mark the end of the condition, as in 如果你有时间的话 (if you have time). The 的话 is optional and adds a softer, conversational tone.