要不是你帮忙，我肯定完不成
要不是 means "if it weren't for" or "if not for." It introduces a counterfactual condition - something that didn't happen but would have changed the outcome.
If it weren't for your help, I would have given up long ago.
Structure: 要不是 + condition, (就/早就) + result
The result clause often includes 就 (then), 早就 (would have already), or similar words emphasizing what would have happened.
If it hadn't rained, we would have gone hiking.
Common contexts:
• Expressing gratitude (if not for your help...)
• Explaining why something bad was avoided
• Regretting missed opportunities
Similar to: 如果不是, but 要不是 is more colloquial and common in spoken Chinese.
要不是 must come first
- ✅ 要不是你帮忙，我就...
- ❌ 你要不是帮忙，我就...
Result clause needs emphasis word (就/肯定/一定)
- ✅ 要不是下雨，我们**就**去了
- ❌ 要不是下雨，我们去了
Only for counterfactuals — use 如果 for real conditions
Similar: 如果不是 (formal), 幸亏 (fortunately — grateful tone)
If it weren't for your help, I definitely couldn't have completed this project.
If it weren't for the rain, we would have gone hiking.
If it weren't for the doctor arriving in time, the consequences would be unthinkable.
If it weren't for this scholarship, I couldn't afford university.
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