要是

yào shi
HSK 3Conjunction (连)

Basic Meaning

conj
Common in spoken Chinese. Often introduces a hypothetical condition. The clause after '要是' often contains '就' or '的话'. Example structure: '要是...，就...'.
if; if it is
如果；如果是。
Synonyms:
若是假使倘若假若假如如果倘使
Sentences:
  1. 要(yào)是(shi)下(xià)雨(yǔ)的(de)话(huà)，我(wǒ)们(men)就(jiù)留(liú)在(zài)家(jiā)里(lǐ)。
    If it rains, we'll stay at home.
  2. 要(yào)是(shi)你(nǐ)饿(è)了(le)，冰(bīng)箱(xiāng)里(lǐ)有(yǒu)点(diǎn)吃(chī)的(de)。
    If you're hungry, there's some food in the fridge.
  3. 要(yào)是(shi)明(míng)天(tiān)有(yǒu)空(kòng)，我(wǒ)就(jiù)去(qù)看(kàn)电(diàn)影(yǐng)。
    If I have time tomorrow, I'll go watch a movie.

Characters Breakdown

HSK 1
yào yāo要

to want; to need; have to; want to; will

HSK 1
shì是

to be (am; is; are)