HSK 5 · VERSION 2.0#68
Expressing “Once... Then...” with “yídàn... jiù...”
一旦……就……
How it works
一旦……就…… (yídàn...jiù...) means “once... then...” It is used to show that after a certain condition is met, a result will immediately or definitely follow.
Compared with 如果……就…… (rúguǒ...jiù...), 一旦 (yídàn) often sounds stronger and more serious, especially in formal or warning contexts.
Example sentences
一旦决定了目标,就应该坚持到底。
Once you have decided on a goal, you should persist to the end.
这种问题一旦处理不好,就可能带来更大的麻烦。
Once this kind of problem is not handled properly, it may bring even greater trouble.
合同一旦签了,很多事情就不能轻易改变。
Once the contract is signed, many things cannot be changed easily.
Key point
一旦 (yídàn) often implies an important turning point or serious consequence.