倘若…就…
HSK 6- Conditionals
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
倘若…就… is a formal conditional structure meaning 'if/supposing that… then…'.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
倘若 is a formal conjunction (连词) used to introduce a hypothetical condition, similar to 如果 but with a more literary or formal tone. The clause following 倘若 presents a hypothetical situation, while the clause introduced by 就 states the corresponding result or consequence. This structure commonly appears in literature, speeches, or other formal contexts, and is rarely used in everyday conversation.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 倘若你不来，我就不去了。繁: 倘若你不來，我就不去了。Tǎngruò nǐ bù lái, wǒ jiù bù qù le.
If you don't come, then I won't go either.
- 倘若有机会，我们就应该试试。繁: 倘若有機會，我們就應該試試。Tǎngruò yǒu jīhuì, wǒmen jiù yīnggāi shìshi.
If we have the opportunity, we should give it a try.
- 倘若此法不通，我们就得另想办法。繁: 倘若此法不通，我們就得另想辦法。Tǎngruò cǐ fǎ bù tōng, wǒmen jiù děi lìng xiǎng bànfǎ.
If this method doesn't work, we'll have to think of another way.
- 倘若明天下雨，比赛就延期举行。繁: 倘若明天下雨，比賽就延期舉行。Tǎngruò míngtiān xià yǔ, bǐsài jiù yánqī jǔxíng.
If it rains tomorrow, the match will be postponed.
- 倘若遇到困难，你就告诉我。繁: 倘若遇到困難，你就告訴我。Tǎngruò yùdào kùnnan, nǐ jiù gàosu wǒ.
If you encounter difficulties, just tell me.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:倘若你饿了，就吃点东西吧。Correct:如果你饿了，就吃点东西吧。
倘若 carries a formal, literary tone. In intimate or everyday contexts, 如果 is much more natural to use.
- Wrong:倘若他同意，我们开始吧。Correct:倘若他同意，我们就开始吧。
Result clauses typically need 就 to connect tightly with conditional clauses, making the sentence more coherent.