conjunction HSK 4
if · supposing · in case
Meaning
假如 is a formal conjunction meaning 'if' or 'supposing that,' used to introduce hypothetical or conditional situations. It carries a slightly more formal or literary tone compared to everyday 如果.
Usage
假如 is commonly used in written Chinese and formal speech to express hypothetical conditions. While 如果 is more conversational, 假如 appears frequently in formal contexts, literature, and when the speaker wants to emphasize the hypothetical nature of the condition. It typically appears at the beginning of a sentence or clause.
Examples
- 01假如明天下雨，我们就不去爬山了。, .If it rains tomorrow, we won't go mountain climbing.
- 02假如我有一百万，我会环游世界。, .If I had a million, I would travel around the world.
Characters
Common collocations
- 假如说if we say, supposing
- 假如...的话...if..., in the case that...
Origin
假如 literally combines 假 (false/hypothetical) and 如 (like/as if) to create the meaning of a hypothetical situation, roughly 'falsely supposing' or 'as if hypothetically.'