Grammar · Chapter 65
若, 若是, 假使: the written 'if'
若 / 若是 / 假使 + A，（就/要）B
Written substitutes for 如果; all three live in letters, rules and news. 若 is the shortest (rules, headlines), 若是 is more neutral, 假使 often appears in reasoning and imaginary situations: 假使你是我 — 'if you were me'. Conversation keeps 如果. Mistake: mixing written and spoken conditionals in one sentence, e.g. 若…要是….
Examples
- 天若继续下雨，运动会就得延期。 Tiān ruò jìxù xià yǔ, yùndònghuì jiù děi yánqī. If the rain doesn't let up, the sports meet will have to be postponed.
- 若是大家齐心协力，这个问题很快就能解决。 Ruòshì dàjiā qíxīn xiélì, zhège wèntí hěn kuài jiù néng jiějué. If everyone works together, this problem can be solved very quickly.
- 假使你是我，你会怎么做？ Jiǎshǐ nǐ shì wǒ, nǐ huì zěnme zuò? If you were me, what would you do?