Ch 32 · Lesson 9Mandarin · Chapter 32 · Lesson 9 · Grammar primer
If it weren't for: 要不是, and 即使 (even if)
，: what would have happened without it. And ，, which is not an if at all.
The short version
，。Yàobúshì nǐ, wǒ zǎojiù zǒu le.
Why?Hide
(yàobúshì) is followed by something that did happen, and the result says what would have happened without it, usually with (zǎojiù), long since, and a final (le). No verb changes form: the words alone carry the would-have.
要不是 (yàobúshì): if it weren't for
(yàobúshì) is followed by something that DID happen. The result says what would have happened without it, and it usually ends in (le):
| Hanzi | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
，。 | Yàobúshì nǐ, wǒ zǎojiù zǒu le. | If it weren't for you, I'd have left long ago |
，。 | Yàobúshì dǔchē, wǒ zǎojiù dào le. | But for the traffic, I'd have been here ages ago |
，。 | Yàobúshì xià yǔ, wǒmen jiù qù gōngyuán le. | If it hadn't rained, we'd have gone to the park |
(zǎojiù) is (jiù) with (zǎo), "long since", in front: it says the result would have come well before now. When there is no "long ago" in the meaning, plain (jiù) does it, as in the last row.
Mandarin has no special verb form for "would have". (yàobúshì) has already told the listener that the result did not happen, so nothing else changes.
即使 (jíshǐ)…也 (yě): even if, which is not an if
A condition says the result depends on it. (jíshǐ), "even if", says the result happens anyway, so it takes (yě), "still":
| Hanzi | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
，。 | Rúguǒ xià yǔ, wǒ jiù bú qù. | If it rains, I won't go |
，。 | Jíshǐ xià yǔ, wǒ yě qù. | Even if it rains, I'll go |
，。 | Jíshǐ tā bù tóngyì, wǒ yě yào qù. | Even if he disagrees, I'm going |
In the first row the rain decides; in the second it makes no difference. The spoken (jiùsuàn) works the same way. The whole family is on even though and even if.
Mistakes English speakers make
| Wrong | Right | Why |
|---|---|---|
，。 | ，。 | (chúfēi) takes (cái) |
，。 | ，。 | (jíshǐ) takes (yě) |
，。 | ，。 | the result that did not happen ends in (le) |
Going further: The whole system on one screen and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
Practice
Practise this lesson
8-question session
One question at a time, mixed across the exercises in this lesson. Miss one and it comes back round before the end.
Mandarin · Free printables
Worksheets for this lesson
Worksheets with answer keys built in. Open any one to view, print or save.
Free for members
The printable worksheets, infographics and PDFs are free with an account. Start a free week and download as many as you like.
Start your free weekLesson 9 of 28 in this chapter