假如 (jiǎ rú) — if

Definition

假如 is a written/formal 'if', more literary than 如果 or 要是. Use it in essays or formal speech; 要是 is the casual choice, 如果 the everyday default.

conjunction
if

Examples

  • 假如，。
    jiǎ rú Nǐ bù lái, wǒ jiù yí gè rén qù.
    If you don't come, I'll go alone.
  • 假如，。
    jiǎ rú Nǐ kǎo shì jí gé, wǒ jiù qǐng nǐ chī fàn.
    If you pass the exam, I'll treat you to a meal.
  • 假如，。
    jiǎ rú Míng tiān shì qíng tiān, wǒ men qù pá shān.
    If tomorrow is sunny, we'll go hiking.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

假jiǎif
如rúif

假如 combines 假 and 如, both suggesting supposition, to mean if.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
亻Written in full as人rénperson
Sound part声符shēngfú
叚
叚jiǎ假jiǎ
Same sound today

假 pairs 亻 (person) with 叚, which gives the sound jiǎ.

Open 假 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
口口kǒumouth
Sound part声符shēngfú
女
女nǚ如rú
Same sound today

如 is built from 口 (mouth) for its meaning and 女 (woman) for its sound.

Open 如 →

Grammar

Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 5HSK 2.0 Level 53000 Most Frequent Chinese Words5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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