Back
Advanced

Conditionals

と, ば, たら, なら

Four conditionals, each with its own nuance

と, ば, たら, なら.

📊 Conditionals
Form Nuance Example
と automatic, always true 押すと開く
ば general 'if' 安ければ買う
たら if/when (versatile) 着いたら電話して
なら 'if it's the case that' 行くなら教えて
💬 Examples
春になると、桜が咲く。
Haru ni naru to, sakura ga saku.
When spring comes, cherry blossoms bloom.
📝 と = a natural/automatic result
雨が降ったら、行きません。
Ame ga futtara, ikimasen.
If it rains, I won't go.
📝 たら = if/when (most general)
たら is the most versatile 'if/when'

Past-form + ら.

💬 Examples
終わったら、教えてください。
Owattara, oshiete kudasai.
When (you) finish, please tell me.
📝 た + ら
お金があったら、買います。
Okane ga attara, kaimasu.
If I had money, I'd buy it.
📝 Conditional たら
なら responds to a topic ('if that's so')

It often picks up what was just said.

💬 Examples
日本に行くなら、京都がいいですよ。
Nihon ni iku nara, Kyōto ga ii desu yo.
If you're going to Japan, Kyoto is good.
📝 なら = given that ...
安いなら買います。
Yasui nara kaimasu.
If it's cheap, I'll buy it.
📝 なら on a stated condition