HSK 5 · VERSION 2.0#41
Expressing “If It Were Not For” with “yàobúshì”
要不是
How it works
要不是 (yàobúshì) means “if it were not for...” It introduces a condition that prevented a different result from happening.
It is often used to explain why something did happen, by referring to what would have happened under different circumstances.
The pattern
要不是 (yàobúshì) + Cause / Condition, Result Clause
Example sentences
要不是你及时提醒我，我今天肯定把这件事忘得一干二净。
Without your timely reminder, I would have completely forgotten about it today.
要不是外面突然下起大雨，我们早就到了。
If it were not for the sudden heavy rain outside, we would have arrived long ago.
要不是大家一起帮忙，这个问题恐怕没那么容易解决。
If it were not for everyone helping together, this problem probably would not have been solved so easily.
Key point
This pattern often sounds slightly emotional because it emphasizes the importance of the condition mentioned.