Cantonese conditionals: 如果...就 and 一...就
Cantonese conditionals lean on one small word: zau6 就. It marks the consequence, the then half of an if then sentence. The if word can shift or even vanish in casual speech, but zau6 almost always stays. This guide covers jyu4 gwo2 如果 for real conditions, jat1 一 for as soon as, and gaa2 jyu4 假如 and maan6 jat1 萬一 for hypotheticals.
The conditional words at a glance
| Word | Use | Rough English equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| jyu4 gwo2 如果 | Opens a real or likely condition | if |
| zau6 就 | Marks the consequence in almost every conditional | then |
| jat1 一 | Pairs with zau6 for an immediate trigger | as soon as |
| gaa2 jyu4 假如 | Opens a what if hypothetical | supposing, if |
| maan6 jat1 萬一 | Opens an unlikely just in case condition | in case, if by chance |
jyu4 gwo2 如果...就: the core if then
The standard pattern is jyu4 gwo2 如果 to open the condition, then zau6 就 right before the consequence. The condition comes first, the consequence second. Notice that zau6 attaches to the result clause, usually just after the subject and before the verb.
In casual Cantonese the opener jyu4 gwo2 如果 is often dropped, because context already signals the condition. What stays is zau6 就. Saying nei5 dak1 haan4 zau6 lai4 啦 (you free then come) is perfectly natural without jyu4 gwo2. The reverse, keeping jyu4 gwo2 but dropping zau6, sounds incomplete to a native ear. When in doubt, keep zau6.
Dropping jyu4 gwo2 in casual speech
Because zau6 就 already signals that a consequence is coming, fluent speakers frequently start a conditional with no if word at all. The condition leads, zau6 introduces the result, and the meaning stays clear.
jat1 一...就: as soon as
To say that one event triggers another right away, pair jat1 一 before the first verb with zau6 就 before the second. The two actions follow each other immediately, like English as soon as. Here zau6 again does the heavy lifting of marking the result.
gaa2 jyu4 假如: what if hypotheticals
gaa2 jyu4 假如 opens a hypothetical, a supposing or what if scenario that is imagined rather than expected. It works just like jyu4 gwo2 structurally, still pairing with zau6 就 for the consequence, but it carries a more hypothetical flavour.
maan6 jat1 萬一: just in case
maan6 jat1 萬一 (literally one in ten thousand) opens a condition that is unlikely but worth preparing for, like English in case or if by chance. It usually flags something you would rather avoid, and it still pairs with zau6 就.
Choosing the right opener
Quick decision guide:
- A real or likely condition? Use jyu4 gwo2 如果 with zau6 就.
- Speaking casually and the condition is obvious? Drop the opener, keep zau6 就.
- One action triggers another right away? Use jat1 一 with zau6 就.
- Imagining a what if scenario? Use gaa2 jyu4 假如.
- Preparing for an unlikely just in case event? Use maan6 jat1 萬一.
Common mistakes
Dropping zau6 instead of the opener
Learners often keep jyu4 gwo2 如果 and forget zau6 就, saying jyu4 gwo2 nei5 dak1 haan4 lai4 啦. That sounds unfinished. It is the opposite that works in casual speech: drop jyu4 gwo2 and keep zau6. The consequence marker zau6 is the part you should not lose.
Putting zau6 in the wrong clause
zau6 就 belongs to the consequence, not the condition. It comes after the subject of the result clause and before that verb, as in ngo5 zau6 m4 heoi3 (I then will not go). Placing zau6 inside the if clause, before the condition verb, is incorrect.
Reaching for Mandarin conditional words
Spoken Cantonese uses jyu4 gwo2 如果, gaa2 jyu4 假如, and maan6 jat1 萬一. Avoid importing Mandarin patterns and particles into your Cantonese sentences. Stick with the Cantonese openers above, and always let zau6 就 carry the consequence.
