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LEARN + CHINESE / 280 of 300 HSK 7–9

If You Do It, Do It Properly 要...就...

Your friend says they’re going to train for the race, then quits after ten minutes. You encourage them: “If you’re going to train, do it properly.” 要……就…… compresses the condition and response into one brisk phrase. A related frame gives direct advice: do the action, and don’t hold back.

要学就学个痛快，别半途而废。
yào xué jiù xué ge tòngkuai, bié bàntú'érfèi.
If you’re going to study, really get into it—don’t give up halfway.
要做就做个彻底，别留下问题。
yào zuò jiù zuò ge chèdǐ, bié liúxià wèntí.
If you’re going to do it, do it thoroughly and don’t leave problems behind.
想休息就休息一会儿，别硬撑。
xiǎng xiūxi jiù xiūxi yíhuìr, bié yìngchēng.
If you need a rest, take one; don’t push yourself.
你要买就买个够，今天正好打折。
nǐ yào mǎi jiù mǎi ge gòu, jīntiān zhènghǎo dǎzhé.
If you want to shop, go ahead and buy enough; everything’s on sale today.
Hint · 힌트
In 要A就A个……, the second verb is followed by 个 and a complement to intensify or complete the action. In A就A，别……, the repeated verb sounds like direct advice: do it, and don’t hesitate or hold back.

Vocabulary

ChineseEnglish
yào……jiù……
if you’re going to…, then…
xué
to study; learn
tòngkuai
with abandon; thoroughly
bàntú'érfèi
to give up halfway
zuò
to do
chèdǐ
thorough; completely
liúxià
to leave behind
wèntí
problem; question
xiǎng
to want; feel like
xiūxi
to rest
yíhuìr
a little while
yìngchēng
to force oneself to keep going
mǎi
to buy
gòu
enough
jīntiān
today
zhènghǎo
just right; happen to
dǎzhé
to be on sale
bié
don’t
jiù
then; just
ge
general measure word

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