如 vs 如果

The words 如 (rú) and 如果 (rúguǒ) both mean "if" in Chinese, but they differ significantly in formality, usage frequency, and grammatical structure. Here’s a detailed comparison:

1. Formality & Usage Context

Examples:

• 如有疑问，请联系客服。 (Rú yǒu yíwèn, qǐng liánxì kèfú.)
  (If you have questions, contact customer service.) → Legal/document tone.
• 如果下雨，比赛就取消。 (Rúguǒ xiàyǔ, bǐsài jiù qǔxiāo.)
  (If it rains, the match will be canceled.) → Everyday speech.

Key Point:

• 如 sounds archaic or bureaucratic; 如果 is the default for modern communication.

2. Grammatical Structure

Examples:

• ✅ 如情况有变，则立即报告。 (Rú qíngkuàng yǒu biàn, zé lìjí bàogào.)
  (If circumstances change, then report immediately.) → Formal directive.
• ✅ 如果情况有变，就马上通知我。 (Rúguǒ qíngkuàng yǒu biàn, jiù mǎshàng tōngzhī wǒ.)
  (Same meaning, casual tone.)

Key Difference:

• 如…则 is a fixed formal pattern; 如果…就 is flexible and neutral.

3. Common Fixed Phrases

• 如 appears in classical idioms/proverbs:
  • 如鱼得水 (rú yú dé shuǐ) – "Like a fish in water" (thriving in a perfect environment).
  • 如雷贯耳 (rú léi guàn ěr) – "Like thunder piercing the ears" (renowned).
• 如果 is never used in idioms.

Note:
❌ 如果鱼得水 (Incorrect; must use 如).

4. Negation

• Both can be negated with 不 (bù) or 未 (wèi), but 如 is stricter:
  • 如不按时交货，将罚款。 (Rú bù ànshí jiāo huò, jiāng fákuǎn.)
    (If delivery is not on time, a fine will apply.) → Contract language.
  • 如果你不来，我会失望。 (Rúguǒ nǐ bù lái, wǒ huì shīwàng.)
    (If you don’t come, I’ll be disappointed.) → Casual warning.

5. Subjunctive Mood (Hypotheticals)

• 如 can sound overly rigid for hypotheticals; 如果 is natural:
  • ❌ 如我是你，我会辞职。 (Sounds like a legal clause.)
  • ✅ 如果我是你，我会辞职。 (Rúguǒ wǒ shì nǐ, wǒ huì cízhí.)
    (If I were you, I’d quit.) → Conversational.

Summary Table

Final Tip

Think of 如 as the "if" of ancient scrolls and legal documents, and 如果 as the "if" of text messages and coffee chats. Use 如 to sound authoritative in formal writing; stick to 如果 for everything else! 😊