Ch 32 · Lesson 8Mandarin · Chapter 32 · Lesson 8 · Grammar primer
In case and unless: 万一 and 除非
for the long shot (，) and … for unless (，).
The short version
，。Chúfēi nǐ qù, wǒ cái qù.
Why?Hide
(chúfēi) names the only way something will happen, so the result takes (cái), only then, where (rúguǒ) takes (jiù). (chúfēi nǐ qù) then (wǒ cái qù) means I'll only go if you go. For 'or else', put (bùrán) before the bad outcome.
？Wànyī xià yǔ zěnme bàn?
Why?Hide
(wànyī), literally one in ten thousand, is an if for something unlikely, usually something you would rather avoid. It takes (jiù) like (rúguǒ). After a piece of advice it means just in case: (dài bǎ sǎn ba), take an umbrella, then (wànyī xià yǔ ne), in case it rains.
The whole system on one screen
The colours stay the same all page long:
| Hanzi | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
，。 | Rúguǒ xià yǔ, wǒ jiù bú qù. | If it rains, I won't go |
，。 | Wànyī tā bù lái, wǒmen jiù zìjǐ qù. | If by any chance he doesn't come, we'll go alone |
，。 | Chúfēi nǐ qù, wǒ cái qù. | I'll only go if you go |
，。 | Yàobúshì nǐ, wǒ zǎojiù zǒu le. | If it weren't for you, I'd have left long ago |
，。 | Jíshǐ xià yǔ, wǒ yě qù. | Even if it rains, I'll go |
How likely is the condition? That is what the opener tells you:
- 如果: open
- 万一: a long shot
- 要不是: it did not happen
万一 (wànyī): in case it happens
(wànyī) is literally "one in ten thousand". It is an if for the long shot, usually one you would rather avoid, and it takes (jiù) like (rúguǒ):
| Hanzi | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
，。 | Wànyī nǐ wàng le, jiù gěi wǒ dǎ diànhuà. | If by any chance you forget, ring me |
？ | Wànyī xià yǔ zěnme bàn? | What if it rains? |
，。 | Dài bǎ sǎn ba, wànyī xià yǔ ne. | Take an umbrella, in case it rains |
The last row is the "just in case" use: the advice first, then (wànyī) and a (ne) as the afterthought.
Swap in (rúguǒ) and the worry drains out: (rúguǒ xià yǔ) is a plain "if it rains". Swap (wànyī) into a hopeful plan, (wànyī nǐ yǒu shíjiān), and you make the other person's free time sound like a long shot.
除非 (chúfēi): unless, with 才 (cái)
(chúfēi) names the only way something will happen. So the result takes (cái), "only then", where (rúguǒ) takes (jiù):
| Hanzi | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
，。 | Chúfēi nǐ qù, wǒ cái qù. | I'll only go if you go |
，。 | Chúfēi nǐ xiān dāying wǒ, wǒ cái gàosu nǐ. | I'll only tell you if you promise first |
，。 | Chúfēi nǐ xiànzài zǒu, bùrán nǐ huì chídào. | Unless you leave now, you'll be late |
，。 | Wǒ bú qù, chúfēi nǐ yě qù. | I'm not going unless you go too |
The first two say "only if"; the third says "unless, or else", with (bùrán) or the more written (fǒuzé) before the bad outcome. (zhǐyǒu)… (cái) says "only if" the same way: see 只要 and 只有. The last row puts the (chúfēi) clause second, which is common in speech when the refusal comes first.
Going further: 要不是 (yàobúshì): if it weren't for and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
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