Translation guide
The English word 'if' is used to express conditions, hypotheticals, and alternatives. Japanese uses several different conditional forms depending on the nuance, such as 〜たら, 〜ば, 〜と, and 〜なら. Choosing the right one is crucial for natural expression.
Express a straightforward cause-and-effect or temporal condition where B happens after A is fulfilled.
The most versatile conditional. Formed by adding ら to the past tense plain form. Used for one-time, specific conditions, often with a nuance of 'when' or 'after'. Natural in speech.
雨が降ったら、出かけません。
If it rains, I won't go out.
家に着いたら、電話してください。
Please call me when you get home.
Used for general, logical, or hypothetical conditions. Formed by changing the last kana to the え-row and adding ば. Often implies a predictable result. Slightly formal.
春になれば、桜が咲きます。
If spring comes, the cherry blossoms bloom.
安ければ、買います。
If it's cheap, I'll buy it.
Used for natural, inevitable consequences or habitual conditions. Often translates to 'whenever' or 'if...then naturally'. Cannot be used with volition, requests, or commands in the main clause.
このボタンを押すと、電気がつきます。
If you press this button, the light turns on.
春になると、暖かくなります。
When spring comes, it gets warmer.
Express an unreal or imagined situation, often contrary to fact.
Can be used for hypotheticals, especially in casual speech. The context makes it clear it's hypothetical.
もしお金があったら、世界旅行したい。
If I had money, I'd travel the world.
Common for hypotheticals, often with もし. Slightly more formal than 〜たら.
Express a condition that may or may not happen, often with a sense of preparation or uncertainty.
The default for 'in case' situations.
もし雨が降ったら、この傘を使ってください。
If it rains, please use this umbrella.
Formal, often used in written instructions or official contexts. Means 'in the event that'.
Express an indirect question or uncertainty between alternatives.
Standard way to say 'whether or not'. Attach to a plain form clause.
彼が来るかどうか知っていますか。
Do you know if he's coming?
Simply 'if' in embedded questions. Less explicit than かどうか, but common.
Express that the result is the same regardless of the condition.
Formed from て-form + も. Means 'even if'.
雨が降っても、行きます。
Even if it rains, I'll go.
Casual spoken version of 〜ても.
Express a wish about a past or present situation that is contrary to fact.
Used for regret about not doing something. 'If only I had...'.
もっと勉強すればよかった。
If only I had studied more.
Similar to 〜ばよかった, slightly more colloquial.
Express a metaphorical comparison or pretense.
Means 'as if'. Often used with まるで for emphasis.
彼はまるで何も知らないかのように話した。
He talked as if he knew nothing.
Politely ask for permission or make a suggestion.
Polite way to say 'if it's okay with you'. Literally 'if it's good'.
よろしければ、どうぞ。
If you don't mind, please go ahead.
Casual version of よろしければ.
These four conditionals are not interchangeable. 〜たら is the most general and safe for beginners. 〜ば is for logical/hypothetical conditions. 〜と is for natural consequences and cannot be followed by a command. 〜なら is for contextual assumptions or giving advice based on what someone said.
東京に行ったら、お土産を買います。
When I go to Tokyo, I'll buy souvenirs. (specific plan)
東京に行けば、お土産が買えます。
If you go to Tokyo, you can buy souvenirs. (general fact)
私があなたなら、そんなことはしません。
If I were you, I wouldn't do that.
時間があったら、遊びに来てください。
If you have time, please come over.
彼が来るかどうか分かりません。
I don't know if he will come.
もし私が鳥ならば、空を飛べるのに。
If I were a bird, I could fly.
Used when the speaker assumes the condition is true or is responding to a context. Often translates to 'if it is the case that...'.
彼が来るなら、私は帰ります。
If he's coming, I'll leave.
火事の場合は、エレベーターを使わないでください。
In case of fire, do not use the elevator.
彼が来るか知りません。
I don't know if he's coming.
雨が降ったって、行くよ。
Even if it rains, I'm going.
If only I had woken up earlier.
もしよかったら、一緒に来ませんか。
If you'd like, why don't you come with us?
Whenever you go to Tokyo, you can buy souvenirs. (habitual)
東京に行くなら、お土産を買ってきて。
If you're going to Tokyo, buy me a souvenir. (responding to info)
The 〜と conditional cannot be used when the main clause expresses a command, request, suggestion, or volition. Use 〜たら or 〜ば instead.
安いと、買ってください。 (incorrect)
If it's cheap, please buy it. (unnatural)
安かったら、買ってください。
If it's cheap, please buy it. (correct)
Whenever you go to Tokyo, you can buy souvenirs. (habitual)
東京に行くなら、お土産を買ってきて。
If you're going to Tokyo, buy me a souvenir. (responding to info)
The 〜と conditional cannot be used when the main clause expresses a command, request, suggestion, or volition. Use 〜たら or 〜ば instead.
安いと、買ってください。 (incorrect)
If it's cheap, please buy it. (unnatural)
安かったら、買ってください。
If it's cheap, please buy it. (correct)