TSUMUGU · TBCL 3 (est.) · 語法
要是…就…
grammar point · tier 2 · conditional 要是…就… (supposing … then)
Conditional: supposes a case, then states what follows once it holds.
字源 FORM what the parts do
要是 sets up a supposed case; 就 fires the consequence the moment that case holds. 要是 leans spoken and hypothetical, 如果 stays neutral.
故事 STORY a scene to remember it by
A road forks; one branch is traced to where it ends, and that ending lights up, while no foot has touched either branch.
自撰字源記憶法
框 · Frame
要是 [supposed condition]，就 [consequence]
觸 · Trigger
You raise a case that may or may not be true and lay out what to do if it is.
序 · The move
1State the supposed case after 要是.Is this a hypothesis, not a settled fact? Settled fact wants 因為, not 要是.
2Open the consequence clause with 就 before its verb.Does 就 sit right before the verb, after the subject if there is one?
3Confirm the consequence depends on the case holding.Swap to 如果 and it still reads — same job, more neutral register.
例 · Examples
1你要是if (supposing)發燒have a fever，今天就then在家at home休息rest吧(soft suggestion)。
If you have a fever, then rest at home today.
界 · Boundary
如果…就…Same conditional job. 要是 is the spoken, more hypothetical 'supposing'; 如果 is neutral across speech and writing.
一…就…一…就… chains two real events by timing (as soon as A, B). 要是…就… supposes A may not happen at all.
因為…所以…因為 gives a cause taken as true; 要是 gives a case that may or may not be true.
你要是發燒，今天在家休息吧。 ✗ → 你要是發燒，今天就在家休息吧。 ✓ (consequence clause needs 就)
要是就下雨，我不去。 ✗ → 要是下雨，我就不去。 ✓ (就 belongs in the consequence, not after 要是)
因為你要是發燒… ✗ → 你要是發燒… ✓ (要是 supposes; do not stack it on a stated cause)
English 'then' is optional, so learners drop 就; in Chinese the consequence clause keeps 就.