(de huà) - if, assuming, in that case in Mandarin
dehuàTraditional: 的話
Translation
if, assuming, in that case
Word origin
The phrase 的话 combines the particle 的 with 话 'speech, words', forming a conditional tag meaning 'if, in that case'. 话 (traditional 話) is a phono-semantic compound with the 讠/言 (speech) radical and 舌 (tongue).
- Origin
- compound
- Root
- 的 (de, particle) + 话 (huà, speech: 言 speech + 舌 tongue)
Stroke order
的
话
Examples
。
It would be great if you came.
雨,。
If it rains, don't go.
。
Call me if you have time.
,。
If you have time, come and visit.
雨。
If it rains, do not go.
的话 (de huà) means if, assuming, in that case. It is used as a particle in everyday Mandarin speech.
Where this fits
Used in
Stories
(4)Grammar articles
(5)Mandarin Causatives 使 (shǐ), 令 (lìng) and 让 (ràng): Making Someone Feel or Do Something
Mandarin Conditionals: 如果, 要是, 的话 and the 就 That Finishes the Sentence
Mandarin Resultative Complements: Fusing a Result onto the Verb (看见, 吃完, 找到)
Mandarin Sentence-Final Particles: 吧, 呢, 啊, 嘛, 吗 and the Final 了
The Mandarin 所 (suǒ) Family: 所有, 所谓, 所 + Verb, and the 为...所 Passive
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的话: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the Mandarin word "的话" (if, assuming, in that case): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 4.