How to use 假如…就
假如 + imagined condition，subject + 就 + consequence
假如 invites the listener to consider an imagined condition and what would follow from it. It can introduce a realistic possibility or a situation contrary to current facts. The consequence may be a prediction, recommendation, or the action the speaker would choose. This makes the construction useful for exploring alternatives rather than only discussing immediate practical plans.
就 commonly links the condition to the following response, with each clause's subject placed where needed. Compared with casual 要是, 假如 often sounds more deliberate or somewhat more formal, but the distinction is a tendency rather than a rigid division. The surrounding context establishes whether the imagined situation is possible, unlikely, or unreal.
Examples with pinyin and English
假如你的成绩再好一点儿，你就能申请北大了。
If your grades come up a little more, then you can apply to Beijing University.
假如我是你，我就戒烟。
If I were you, I would give up smoking.
假如你的女朋友不爱你，你们就分手吧。
If your girlfriend doesn't love you, then you should break up.
假如有一点机会，我就会辞去现在的工作。
If I just had some other opportunity, I would quit my job.
What to remember
- Use 假如 to frame an imagined situation.
- Put 就 with the consequence or response.
- Let context determine whether the condition is realistic.
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Source and editorial notes
Explanation rewritten for Laowai. Examples are adapted from the Laowai English grammar curriculum, with editorial corrections where needed. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
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