Meaning of 要是
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- (coll.) if
How to use 要是
要是 is a spoken way to say "if", similar to the more formal 如果 (rúguǒ). It often pairs with 就 (jiù) in the second half of the sentence. Example: 要是下雨，我们就不去了。(Yàoshi xià yǔ, wǒmen jiù bú qù le.) If it rains, we won't go.
要 (yào) means "want" and 是 (shì) means "is". Think of 要是 as "if it wants to be so", a casual way to set up a possible situation.
Common mistake: Learners often say the second syllable with a full fourth tone, yàoshì. In this word 是 is usually neutral tone, so it sounds like yàoshi. Also, do not confuse it with 钥匙 (yàoshi, key), which sounds the same but is a noun.
要是 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.
要 yào · to want · 9 strokes
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是 shì · to be · 9 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 要是.
| 还是 | háishi | still (as before); had better |
| 是不是 | shì bu shì | is or is not (used to form yes-no questions) |
| 重要 | zhòngyào | important; significant; major |
| 不要 | bùyào | don't!; must not |
| 但是 | dànshì | but; however |
| 可是 | kěshì | but; however; (used for emphasis) indeed |
| 只要 | zhǐyào | so long as; provided; if |
| 就要 | jiùyào | will; shall |
| 要求 | yāoqiú | to request; to require |
| 正是 | zhèngshì | is precisely |
| 主要 | zhǔyào | main; principal; major; primary |
| 快要 | kuàiyào | nearly at the point of (doing sth); about to (do sth) |
Questions about 要是
What does 要是 mean?
要是 (yàoshi) means "(coll.) if" and is used as a conjunction.
How do you write 要是?
要是 is made of 2 characters: 要 (9 strokes), 是 (9 strokes). That is 18 strokes in total.
Is 要是 an HSK word?
Yes. 要是 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 要是 and 如果?
Both mean "if". 要是 sounds more casual and is common in speech, while 如果 (rúguǒ) works in both speech and writing and feels a bit more neutral or formal.
Can I add 的话 after a 要是 clause?
Yes. 要是……的话 (yàoshi... dehuà) is very common and natural, for example 要是你有时间的话 (yàoshi nǐ yǒu shíjiān dehuà), "if you have time". 的话 can also be used alone to mark the condition.