What does 要是 mean in Chinese?

要是 (yào shi) means "if" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 4.

How do you pronounce 要是?

要是 is pronounced "yào shi" in Mandarin Chinese. It is made up of 2 syllables.

What HSK level is 要是?

要是 is an HSK 4 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 5 on the old exam, HSK 4 on the new one.

What characters make up 要是?

要是 is made up of the characters 要, 是. Each character has its own meaning and can appear in other words.

How do you write 要是?

You can practice writing 要是 using our stroke order tool.

要是 (yào shi), if

要是

yào shi

HSK 4 Was HSK 5

Characters in This Word

要是

Definitions

Example Sentences

要是有时间，我会去。

Yàoshi yǒu shíjiān, wǒ huì qù

If I have time, I'll go

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 4
HSK 2.0: HSK 5
HSK Lord study list: HSK 3 list

要是: HSK 5 on the old exam, HSK 4 on the new one. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 4 exam

Studying for HSK 4? Keep 要是 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each word comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 4 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.