Conditionals

Vocabulary

春(はる)はるspring

花(はな)はなflower

咲(さ)くさ・くu-verbto bloom

行(い)くい・くu-verbto go

分(わ)かるわ・かるu-verbto understand

時間(じかん)じ・かんtime

食(た)べるた・べるru-verbto eat

書(か)くか・くu-verbto write

安(やす)いやす・いi-adjcheap

買(か)うか・うu-verbto buy

Japanese has four different ways to say “If”.

1. と

Natural consequence or inevitable result. “Whenever A happens, B happens.”

春(はる)が来(く)ると、花(はな)が咲(さ)く。When spring comes, flowers bloom.

このボタンを押(お)すと、ドアが開(ひら)く。When you press this button, the door opens.

右(みぎ)に曲(ま)がると、駅(えき)がある。If you turn right, there is a station.

2. ば

Hypothetical condition. Focuses on the condition itself.

Conjugation:

U-verbs: Change う to え + ば

書(か)く → 書(か)けば

Ru-verbs: Drop る + れば

食(た)べる → 食(た)べれば

行(い)けばわかる。If you go, you will understand.

安(やす)ければ買(か)う。If it's cheap, I'll buy it.

食(た)べれば元気(げんき)になる。If you eat, you'll feel better.

3. たら

Context-bound condition. “If/When A happens, then B.” Very versatile.

Conjugation: Past Tense + ら.

時間(じかん)があったら、行(い)く。If I have time, I will go.

雨(あめ)が降(ふ)ったら、家(いえ)にいる。If it rains, I'll stay home.

終(お)わったら、連絡(れんらく)してね。When you're done, contact me.

4. なら

Contextual condition based on what is assumed to be true. “If that is the case…”

行(い)くなら、私(わたし)も行(い)く。If you are going, I will go too.

日本(にっぽん)に行(い)くなら、京都(きょうと)がいい。If you're going to Japan, Kyoto is good.

買(か)うなら、今(いま)がチャンスだ。If you're going to buy, now is the chance.