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Introducing a hypothetical premise with 如果说 (rúguǒ shuō)
Structure
如果说 + Clause，那么 + Clause
Explanation
如果说 (rúguǒ shuō) means "if we say that" or "if it is the case that" and introduces a hypothetical premise or supposition. It is a more emphatic and rhetorical version of 如果 (if), often used in literary or persuasive writing. It is typically paired with 那么 (then) in the following clause.
Examples
如果说去年是打基础，那么今年就是全力冲刺的时候。
rúguǒ shuō qùnián shì dǎ jīchǔ, nàme jīnnián jiùshì quánlì chōngcì de shíhou.
If last year was about laying the foundation, then this year is the time to go all out.
如果说努力是成功的一半，那么方向就是另一半。
rúguǒ shuō nǔlì shì chénggōng de yībàn, nàme fāngxiàng jiùshì lìng yībàn.
If hard work is half of success, then direction is the other half.
如果说他有什么缺点，那就是太固执了。
rúguǒ shuō tā yǒu shénme quēdiǎn, nà jiùshì tài gùzhí le.
If he has any shortcoming, it's that he's too stubborn.