if, supposing, assuming

JLPT N1 8 strokes

Words with this Kanji

Usage of

The character (ruò) is a formal or literary conjunction used to express conditional 'if' or 'supposing'. It often appears in written Chinese, classical texts, or formal speech rather than everyday conversation.

Common Collocations

  • ......: 'If... then...' structure, used to state conditions and results.
  • ...: 'If you want to...', expressing a prerequisite or condition.

Nuances and Register

Using instead of the more common 如果 (rúguǒ) gives a more elegant or formal tone. It is less common in casual speech but frequently found in written language, official documents, or poetic contexts.

Avoiding Confusion

Do not confuse with (yuē), which means 'approximately' or 'to make an appointment'. Also, is not used as a verb in modern Chinese; its main function is conditional conjunction.

Summary

is a useful word for expressing hypothetical or conditional situations in a formal or literary style. Recognizing it helps understand classical texts and formal writing.

Example Sentences

If you have time, let's go watch a movie together.

If the weather is bad, the event will be canceled.

If you want to succeed, you must study hard.