如果 + Condition, (Subject +) 就 + Result
Reach for this when you want to lay out a clean 'if X, then Y' — the everyday conditional you'll use a hundred times a week. 如果 opens the condition; 就 sits in the second clause right before the verb, marking the consequence. It works for real conditions ('if it rains') and hypothetical ones ('if I were rich'). Keep both halves and the sentence reads naturally to any Chinese speaker.
Structure
如果 [CONDITION], (SUBJECT) 就 [RESULT]
rúguǒ ..., (...) jiù ...
How to Think About It
如果 sets up the IF; 就 is a hinge in the second clause that says 'and as a result.' Where English puts 'then' optionally and at the start of the result, Chinese tucks 就 between subject and verb. Dropping 就 isn't always wrong but the sentence loses its 'snap'; native speakers feel the consequence is missing its pivot.
Examples
如果下雨, 我就不去。
Rúguǒ xiàyǔ, wǒ jiù bù qù.
If it rains, I won't go.
如果你累了, 就早点睡。
Rúguǒ nǐ lèi le, jiù zǎo diǎn shuì.
If you're tired, just go to bed early.
如果他不来, 我们就走。
Rúguǒ tā bù lái, wǒmen jiù zǒu.
If he doesn't come, we'll leave.
Common Mistake
Learners place 就 at the front of the result clause like English 'then,' producing 就我去 or putting it before the subject. 就 belongs AFTER the subject and BEFORE the verb of the result clause.
如果下雨, 就我不去。
如果下雨, 我就不去。
Don't Confuse With
要是...就...
Same structure, more colloquial. 要是 replaces 如果 in casual speech; in writing or formal contexts, prefer 如果.
的话
An optional tag at the end of the condition: '如果下雨的话, 我就不去.' Adds a softer, more conversational feel. You can use 的话 alone (without 如果) for a lighter 'if': '下雨的话...'
只要...就...
Means 'as long as...' — it presents the condition as sufficient and minimal. Use 只要 when even the smallest version of the condition is enough; use 如果 for a neutral 'if.'
Practice
___ 明天有时间, 我就去看你。
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如果
如果你饿了, 我们 ___ 吃饭吧。
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就
Put in order: [我 / 如果 / 你 / 去 / 就 / 去 / 不]
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如果你不去, 我就去。
Translate to Chinese: 'If you have a question, just ask me.'
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如果你有问题, 就问我。
Write one sentence about something you'd do if you had more free time, using 如果...就....
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Example answer: 如果我有更多的时间, 我就去学画画。 (If I had more time, I'd go learn to paint.)
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode: