====== tiáojiàn: 条件 - Condition, Requirement, Term ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** tiáojiàn, 条件, Chinese for condition, Chinese for requirement, terms and conditions in Chinese, prerequisites in Chinese, Chinese grammar if...then, living conditions in Chinese, what does tiaojian mean * **Summary:** The Chinese word **条件 (tiáojiàn)** is an essential term for learners, meaning "condition," "requirement," or "term." It's incredibly versatile, used to discuss everything from the "terms" of a business contract and the "prerequisites" for a job, to the "conditions" needed for a scientific experiment. In daily life, it's used to talk about living or working conditions and even the personal "requirements" one might have for a partner. Understanding **条件 (tiáojiàn)** unlocks the ability to negotiate, set boundaries, and describe the world in a more specific and nuanced way. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** tiáojiàn * **Part of Speech:** Noun * **HSK Level:** HSK 4 * **Concise Definition:** A requirement, prerequisite, or factor that must be met for something else to happen or exist. * **In a Nutshell:** Think of **条件 (tiáojiàn)** as the "strings attached" or the necessary ingredients for something. It can be a logical condition ("*If* you do this..."), a contractual term ("on the *condition* that you pay first"), or a physical state ("living *conditions*"). The core idea is that a **条件 (tiáojiàn)** is a specific factor that enables, defines, or limits an outcome or situation. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **条 (tiáo):** This character originally depicted a slender branch of a tree. It has evolved to mean a "strip," "item," "clause," or "article." Think of a list of rules or items in a contract—each one is a **条**. * **件 (jiàn):** This character often acts as a measure word for items, documents, or matters, such as a piece of clothing (一件衣服 - yí jiàn yīfu) or an affair (一件事 - yí jiàn shì). It signifies an individual item or case. When combined, **条件 (tiáojiàn)** literally translates to "itemized matters" or "claused items." This perfectly captures the meaning of a set of specific requirements or stipulations that must be considered or met. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== While "condition" or "term" is a universal concept, the use of **条件 (tiáojiàn)** in China can sometimes be more personal and flexible than the rigid, legalistic "Terms and Conditions" often seen in the West. For example, in a Western context, discussing the "conditions" for a romantic relationship might sound cold or transactional. In China, however, talking about your **找对象的条件 (zhǎo duìxiàng de tiáojiàn)**—the "conditions for finding a partner"—is a very common and practical conversation. These conditions might include things like age, height, profession, or whether they own a home. This isn't necessarily seen as cold, but rather as a pragmatic approach to finding a suitable and stable match, reflecting a cultural emphasis on practicality and family security. Similarly, discussions about improving **生活条件 (shēnghuó tiáojiàn)** (living conditions) or **工作条件 (gōngzuò tiáojiàn)** (working conditions) are frequent topics of conversation, reflecting the country's rapid development and the collective aspiration for a better material life. It's a key metric for measuring personal and national progress. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== ==== In Negotiations and Business ==== **条件** is the standard word for "terms" in any negotiation, from a formal business contract to haggling at a market. * //我们来谈谈合同的**条件**吧。// (Wǒmen lái tántan hétong de **tiáojiàn** ba.) - "Let's discuss the **terms** of the contract." * //这是我们最后的**条件**,不能再改了。// (Zhè shì wǒmen zuìhòu de **tiáojiàn**, bù néng zài gǎi le.) - "These are our final **terms**; they cannot be changed." ==== In Daily Life and Relationships ==== It's used to set prerequisites for actions or to describe what one is looking for in a person or situation. * //你想去公园可以,但**条件**是先做完作业。// (Nǐ xiǎng qù gōngyuán kěyǐ, dàn **tiáojiàn** shì xiān zuò wán zuòyè.) - "You can go to the park, but the **condition** is that you finish your homework first." * //她找男朋友的**条件**很高。// (Tā zhǎo nánpéngyou de **tiáojiàn** hěn gāo.) - "Her **requirements** for a boyfriend are very high." ==== Describing Environments ==== It's frequently combined with other words to mean "conditions" in the sense of the physical or circumstantial environment. * //这个山区的医疗**条件**不太好。// (Zhège shānqū de yīliáo **tiáojiàn** bú tài hǎo.) - "The medical **conditions** in this mountain area are not very good." * //我们公司的工作**条件**和福利都很棒。// (Wǒmen gōngsī de gōngzuò **tiáojiàn** hé fúlì dōu hěn bàng.) - "Our company's working **conditions** and benefits are both great." ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 只要你答应我一个**条件**,我就帮你。 * Pinyin: Zhǐyào nǐ dāyìng wǒ yí ge **tiáojiàn**, wǒ jiù bāng nǐ. * English: As long as you agree to one **condition** of mine, I will help you. * Analysis: This shows **条件** used in a classic "if/then" bargaining situation. The structure `只要...就...` (zhǐyào...jiù... - as long as...then...) is very common with **条件**. * **Example 2:** * 这家酒店的**条件**非常好,有泳池还有健身房。 * Pinyin: Zhè jiā jiǔdiàn de **tiáojiàn** fēicháng hǎo, yǒu yǒngchí hái yǒu jiànshēnfáng. * English: The **conditions** (facilities/amenities) of this hotel are excellent; it has a pool and a gym. * Analysis: Here, **条件** refers to the physical facilities and quality of a place. It's a very common way to describe hotels, apartments, or schools. * **Example 3:** * 他各方面的**条件**都很优秀,是理想的候选人。 * Pinyin: Tā gè fāngmiàn de **tiáojiàn** dōu hěn yōuxiù, shì lǐxiǎng de hòuxuǎnrén. * English: His **qualities/attributes** in every aspect are outstanding; he is an ideal candidate. * Analysis: In this context, **条件** refers to a person's overall attributes—their skills, background, appearance, etc. It's often used when evaluating someone for a job or as a potential partner. * **Example 4:** * 在**条件**允许的情况下,我们会尽快发货。 * Pinyin: Zài **tiáojiàn** yǔnxǔ de qíngkuàng xià, wǒmen huì jǐnkuài fāhuò. * English: Provided the **conditions** allow, we will ship the goods as soon as possible. * Analysis: This is a more formal and slightly abstract usage, common in business communication. It means "if circumstances permit." * **Example 5:** * 爱是**无条件**的。 * Pinyin: Ài shì **wútiáojiàn** de. * English: Love is **unconditional**. * Analysis: This shows the direct antonym, **无条件 (wútiáojiàn)**, which means "without conditions" or "unconditional." * **Example 6:** * 这里的自然**条件**很恶劣,不适合居住。 * Pinyin: Zhèlǐ de zìrán **tiáojiàn** hěn'èliè, bú shìhé jūzhù. * English: The natural **conditions** here are harsh and not suitable for living. * Analysis: **自然条件 (zìrán tiáojiàn)** specifically refers to the natural environment: climate, terrain, resources, etc. * **Example 7:** * 满足这些**条件**是申请这所大学的先决**条件**。 * Pinyin: Mǎnzú zhèxiē **tiáojiàn** shì shēnqǐng zhè suǒ dàxué de xiānjué **tiáojiàn**. * English: Meeting these **requirements** is a prerequisite for applying to this university. * Analysis: This sentence cleverly uses **条件** twice. The second instance, **先决条件 (xiānjué tiáojiàn)**, is a more formal term for "prerequisite" (literally "first-deciding condition"). * **Example 8:** * 我们必须创造有利**条件**来吸引外资。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen bìxū chuàngzào yǒulì **tiáojiàn** lái xīyǐn wàizī. * English: We must create favorable **conditions** to attract foreign investment. * Analysis: This demonstrates a common collocation: **有利条件 (yǒulì tiáojiàn)**, meaning "favorable conditions." The opposite is **不利条件 (búlì tiáojiàn)**. * **Example 9:** * 如果我们的**条件**你不能接受,那就算了。 * Pinyin: Rúguǒ wǒmen de **tiáojiàn** nǐ bù néng jiēshòu, nà jiù suàn le. * English: If you can't accept our **terms**, then let's just forget about it. * Analysis: A very direct and common sentence used in negotiations when reaching an impasse. * **Example 10:** * 他的家庭**条件**不错,从小没吃过苦。 * Pinyin: Tā de jiātíng **tiáojiàn** búcuò, cóngxiǎo méi chī guò kǔ. * English: His family's **circumstances/conditions** are quite good; he never experienced hardship growing up. * Analysis: **家庭条件 (jiātíng tiáojiàn)** refers to a family's financial and social standing. This is a very common phrase in modern China. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **False Friend: Medical "Condition"** * A very common mistake is to use **条件 (tiáojiàn)** to describe a medical condition. This is incorrect. **条件** refers to requirements or circumstances, not an illness. * **Incorrect:** ~~医生说我的**条件**不严重。~~ (Yīshēng shuō wǒ de **tiáojiàn** bù yánzhòng.) * **Correct:** 医生说我的**病情**不严重。 (Yīshēng shuō wǒ de **bìngqíng** bù yánzhòng.) - "The doctor said my **medical condition** is not serious." Use **病情 (bìngqíng)** or just **病 (bìng)**. * **`条件` (tiáojiàn) vs. `情况` (qíngkuàng)** * These two can be confusing. **条件 (tiáojiàn)** are the *factors* or *prerequisites* that influence a situation. **情况 (qíngkuàng)** is the *situation* or *state of affairs* itself. * Think of it this way: `条件` are the ingredients; `情况` is the resulting dish. * **Example:** 交通**条件**很差 (Jiāotōng **tiáojiàn** hěn chà) - "The traffic **conditions** (e.g., road quality, number of stoplights) are bad." This refers to the underlying factors. * **Example:** 交通**情况**很糟 (Jiāotōng **qíngkuàng** hěn zāo) - "The traffic **situation** (the jam right now) is terrible." This refers to the current state. * You can say: "Because the road **conditions** (`条件`) are poor, the traffic **situation** (`情况`) is very bad." ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[要求]] (yāoqiú) - A demand or a requirement. It is more active and stronger than `条件`. `要求` is what someone asks for; `条件` is what must be met. * [[规定]] (guīdìng) - A rule or regulation. This is an official, often written, `条件` set by an authority (like a government or a company). * [[资格]] (zīgé) - Qualifications. This refers to the personal `条件` (like education, experience) that make someone eligible for something. * [[如果]] (rúguǒ) - "If." This word is often used to introduce a clause that states a `条件`. * [[前提]] (qiántí) - A prerequisite or premise. This is a more formal synonym for `条件`, often used in logical arguments or formal plans. * [[环境]] (huánjìng) - Environment. This is the broader context, while `条件` can refer to specific aspects within that environment (e.g., `工作环境` vs. `工作条件`). * [[情况]] (qíngkuàng) - Situation/circumstances. The state of affairs, which is often a result of various `条件`. * [[无条件]] (wútiáojiàn) - Unconditional. The direct antonym, meaning "without any conditions."