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早知道真相
zǎo zhī dào zhēn xiàng
if I had known the truth
早知道真相，我就不会来了。
If I had known the truth, I wouldn't have come.
informal
A phrase expressing regret or relief about not knowing the truth earlier.
早知道真相，我就不会相信他了。
If I had known the truth, I wouldn't have trusted him.
早知道真相，我就换工作了。
If I had known the truth, I would have changed jobs.
Often used to express hindsight about past decisions or situations.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Usage in Regret
Use '早知道真相' to express regret about past actions or decisions after learning new information. It often implies 'I wish I had known sooner.'
Gold Rule
Grammar Structure
The phrase follows the structure '早知道 + [noun/phrase]', where '知道' (to know) is the verb. The '就' (then) is often implied in the second clause.
Word Origin
The phrase combines '早' (early), '知道' (to know), and '真相' (truth), forming a grammatically straightforward expression. The structure reflects a common Chinese rhetorical pattern for expressing regret or hypothetical scenarios.
Usage Notes
Used in both spoken and written Chinese, often in casual or emotional contexts. The phrase is not idiomatic but follows standard grammar rules.
Word Breakdown
早
early
adverb知道
to know
verb真相
truth
noun汉英词典