Definition
则已 is a function word from Classical Chinese, now used in formal or literary contexts. It appears in patterns like 'A，则已；B，则…' (if A, that's it; if B, then…) or '不…则已' (if not… then fine/forget it). It closes a clause with a sense of finality or concession, often paired with 一 to mean 'once something happens, then…'.
y
(literary) used to indicate sufficiency or a conditional conclusion'then that's all''if… then fine'
Examples
- 则已，。Bù nǔlì gōngzuò zé yǐ, yì nǔlì jiù chénggōng.If you don't work hard, that's fine; once you work hard, you succeed.
- 则已，。Kǎoshì zé yǐ, bùbì tài jǐnzhāng.Exams are fine; no need to be too nervous.
- 则已，。Tā lái zé yǐ, bù lái yě wúsuǒwèi.If he comes, that's fine; if he doesn't, it doesn't matter.
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