HSK 5Lesson 9 of 11 · 6 grammar points

Narrative results and contingencies

便 advances a close sequence, 或是 presents alternatives, and 一旦、假如、万一 frame different kinds of conditions. 万一 commonly anticipates a risk. 不然 then states what happens if the desired action or condition fails.

Learning goals (6)

Narrative consequence with 便.
Alternative clauses with 或是.
Once a condition takes effect.
Supposition with 假如.
An unfavorable contingency.
Otherwise in conversation.

…，便…

Narrative consequence with 便

便 connects a following event closely to the preceding trigger, often in written narrative.

他听完便走了。

Tā tīng wán biàn zǒu le.

After listening, he left.

Pitfall: It is not a noun referring to convenience in this use.

或是…，或是…

Alternative clauses with 或是

或是…或是… presents alternatives in a statement, typically without requiring an immediate choice answer.

周末他或是看书，或是出去走走。

Zhōu mò tā huò shì kàn shū, huò shì chū qù zǒu zǒu.

On weekends he either reads or goes for a walk.

Pitfall: Direct choice questions normally use 还是.

一旦…，就…

Once a condition takes effect

一旦…就… emphasizes the consequence following activation of a condition, often a significant change.

一旦决定了，就不要轻易改变。

Yī dàn jué dìng le, jiù bù yào qīng yì gǎi biàn.

Once you have decided, do not change lightly.

Pitfall: 一旦 does not by itself specify whether the condition is desirable.

假如

Supposition with 假如

假如 introduces a hypothetical situation; the result may use 就.

假如时间允许，我们就多住一天。

Jiǎ rú shí jiān yǔn xǔ, wǒ men jiù duō zhù yī tiān.

If time allows, we will stay one extra day.

Pitfall: The condition is entertained, not asserted as already true.

万一

An unfavorable contingency

万一 presents a possible contingency, often undesirable or unlikely, followed by a response.

万一下雨，就改在室内。

Wàn yī xià yǔ, jiù gǎi zài shì nèi.

If it happens to rain, move it indoors.

Pitfall: Do not use it indiscriminately for every routine condition.

…，要不然/不然…

Otherwise in conversation

不然 or 要不然 gives the consequence of failing to take the preceding action.

快出发，不然就赶不上了。

Kuài chū fā, bù rán jiù gǎn bù shàng le.

Leave quickly, otherwise we won't make it.

Pitfall: 要不 can also propose an alternative in other contexts.

Source details (official syllabus)

Narrative consequence with 便
Syllabus item
……，便……
Category
承接复句
Grammar ID
grammar-L5-056
PDF page
399 (printed 396)
Alternative clauses with 或是
Syllabus item
或是……，或是……
Category
选择复句
Grammar ID
grammar-L5-057
PDF page
399 (printed 396)
Once a condition takes effect
Syllabus item
一旦……，就……
Category
假设复句
Grammar ID
grammar-L5-058
PDF page
399 (printed 396)
Supposition with 假如
Syllabus item
假如……，（就）……
Category
假设复句
Grammar ID
grammar-L5-059
PDF page
399 (printed 396)
An unfavorable contingency
Syllabus item
万一……，（就）……
Category
假设复句
Grammar ID
grammar-L5-060
PDF page
399 (printed 396)
Otherwise in conversation
Syllabus item
……，要不然/不然……
Category
假设复句
Grammar ID
grammar-L5-061
PDF page
399 (printed 396)