的话 de huà
“if (coming after a conditional clause)”
particle2021 list level 2Traditional 的話
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
的话 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 586: 的话 dehuà — Level 3; official annotation 3 (助). PDF page 94
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 的话
A particle placed at the end of a conditional clause to mean “if”. It often follows 如果/要是, but 如果/要是 can be omitted and the clause simply ends in 的话. The main clause usually comes after the comma, often with 就.
例句Example sentences
- 如果你明天没空的话，我们改天再去。rú guǒ nǐ míng tiān méi kòng de huà, wǒ men gǎi tiān zài qù.If you're busy tomorrow, we'll go another day.
- 太贵的话，我就不买了。tài guì de huà, wǒ jiù bù mǎi le.If it's too expensive, I won't buy it.
- 你想去的话，可以跟我一起。nǐ xiǎng qù de huà, kě yǐ gēn wǒ yì qǐ.If you want to go, you can come with me.
常见错误Common mistakes
-
✗的话你不舒服，就休息一下。
✓你不舒服的话，就休息一下。
的话 must come at the end of the conditional clause, not at the beginning.
易混词Easily confused
的话vs如果
如果 is a conjunction placed at the start of the conditional clause and needs a main clause; 的话 sits at the end of that clause. They often combine: 如果下雨的话……, but 的话 alone is enough.