Conjunction 要是...就

This pattern works in two parts. The first part starts with 要是. This sets the scene or the "if" part. The second part starts with 就. This gives the result or the "then" part. In English, we often skip the word "then." We just say, "If it rains, I'll stay home." But in Chinese, that 就 is very important. It acts like a bridge. It tells the listener, "Hey, here comes the result!" You can think of it like a grammar traffic light. The 要是 is the yellow light (get ready for a condition), and the 就 is the green light (go to the result). If you forget the 就, your sentence might feel a bit naked. It is not technically "illegal," but it sounds a bit choppy to native ears.

1. 1Creating a sentence with 要是...就 is as easy as 1-2-3-4.
2. 2Start with the word 要是.
3. 3Add your condition (e.g., "you have time").
4. 4Add a comma to catch your breath.
5. 5Start the next part with 就 followed by the result (e.g., "come over").
6. 6Wait, where does the subject go? Great question! You have two choices. You can put the subject before 要是 or after it. For example: 你要是... or 要是你.... Both are totally fine! However, the 就 almost always stays right before the verb in the second part. It is like a loyal dog that never leaves its master's (the verb's) side.

Use this pattern whenever you are making plans or talking about possibilities.

Scenario 1: Ordering Food.

You are at a restaurant and they are out of your favorite dish. You say: 要是 they don't have beef, 就 I will eat chicken. It shows you are flexible!

Scenario 2: Asking Directions.

You are looking for the subway. You ask: 要是 I walk this way, 就 can I find the station? It helps you confirm your path.

Scenario 3: Job Interviews.

You want to show your value. You say: 要是 you hire me, 就 I will work very hard. It connects your skills to their success.

Scenario 4: Hanging out.

You are talking to a friend about the weekend. 要是 the weather is good, 就 let's go to the park. This is the bread and butter of daily Chinese conversation.

Don't use 要是...就 for things that are definitely happening. If you are 100% sure it will rain, don't use "if." Also, try to avoid this in very formal legal documents. Lawyers love the word 如果 (rúguǒ) instead. 要是 is a bit too "chilled out" for a court of law. Also, don't use it to describe things that already happened in the past as simple facts. If you already ate the pizza, you can't say "If I eat the pizza..." unless you are talking about a hypothetical "what if" scenario.

The biggest mistake? Forgetting the 就. It is the most common slip-up for English speakers. We are used to leaving out "then," so we naturally want to leave out 就. Resist the urge! Another mistake is putting 就 before the subject in the second clause. Remember: Subject + 就 + Verb. For example, say 我就去 instead of 就我去. Yes, even native speakers mess this up when they are talking too fast, but you want to get it right to sound like a pro. Think of 就 as a magnet that sticks to the verb.

You might have heard of 如果...的话 (rúguǒ...dehuà). They are like cousins. 如果 is a bit more formal, like wearing a suit to a meeting. 要是 is like wearing a nice t-shirt to a coffee date. You can also add 的话 to the end of your 要是 clause for extra emphasis: 要是下雨的话.... It just makes the "if" part sound a bit more complete. There is also 只要...就 (zhǐyào...jiù), which means "as long as." That one is more about a strict requirement, whereas 要是 is just a general condition.