倘若
tǎng ruò HSK 6

English Meaning

📚 Example Sentences

倘若明天下雨,我们就取消活动。
Tǎngruò míngtiān xiàyǔ, wǒmen jiù qǔxiāo huódòng.
If it rains tomorrow, we will cancel the activity.
倘若你同意,我们就开始合作。
Tǎngruò nǐ tóngyì, wǒmen jiù kāishǐ hézuò.
If you agree, we will start cooperating.
倘若发生意外,请立即报警。
Tǎngruò fāshēng yìwài, qǐng lìjí bàojǐng.
In case of an accident, please call the police immediately.
倘若下雨,我不去。
Tǎngruò xià yǔ, wǒ bù qù.
If it rains, I won't go.
倘若你忙,我等你。
Tǎngruò nǐ máng, wǒ děng nǐ.
If you are busy, I will wait for you.

💡 Memory Tip

Think of 倘 (tǎng) as sounding like 'tongue'—imagine 'if' your tongue could talk formally, it would use 倘若. The character 若 (ruò) also appears in other conditional words like 如果 (rúguǒ), linking it to the concept of 'if.'

📝 Usage Notes

倘若 is primarily used in written Chinese and formal speech, such as in essays, literature, or official contexts. It is less common in casual conversation, where 如果 (rúguǒ) or 要是 (yàoshi) are preferred. It often appears in contexts expressing advice, warnings, or hypothetical scenarios.

📖 Grammar Points

倘若 is typically used at the beginning of a clause to set up a condition, followed by a result clause often marked by 就 (jiù), 那么 (nàme), or 的话 (dehuà). For example: '倘若你同意,我们就开始。' (If you agree, we'll start.)

🏯 Cultural Notes

In classical Chinese literature, 倘若 is frequently used to express elegant or poetic hypotheticals. It may convey a sense of caution or deliberation in modern contexts, such as in proverbs or advice.

🔄 Similar Words

Similar to 如果 (rúguǒ) and 要是 (yàoshi), which also mean 'if,' but 倘若 is more formal and literary. 假如 (jiǎrú) is also close but slightly more common in written contexts than 倘若. 倘若 often implies a stronger hypothetical or conditional nuance.

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