| The conditional form is used to describe a conditional relation
between the subordinate clause and the main clause. There are four
different constructions for the conditional form. Though all can
be translated as "if" or "when", each has its
own nuances.
- Rentaikei + と (to)
- Rentaikei + なら（ば） (nara(ba))
- Ren'youkei + たら (tara)
- Ren'youkei + ては (te wa)
- Izenkei + ば (ba)
Rentaikei + と (to)
The rentaikei + と (to) is often used to describe an assumption,
translated as "if" or "when", usually referring
to recurring situations. It cannot, however, be used for describing
requests, permission, wishes or recommendations.
The rentaikei + と(to) can also be used to describe an observation
or conclusion. In this case it can be translated as "Now that
I..." (often encountered as ren'youkei + てみると (te miru to)),
as "when" or "while", describing a coincidence
or one-off occurance (used as とき (toki)), or as "and then"
when actions are performed by the same grammatical subject.
The rentaikei + と is never found at the end of a sentence. It always
ends the conditional clause, followed by the main clause.
| |
安かったとぜひ買った。(Yasukatta to
zehi katta.)
If it were cheap I would definitely have bought it.
田中さんが着くとパーティが始まります。 (Tanaka-san ga tsuku
to paati ga hajimarimasu.)
The party will start when Mr. Tanaka gets here.
そのようなことが言われるといやだ。 (Sono you na koto ga iwareru
to iya da.)
I hate it when I'm being told something like that. |
| |
Rentaikei +
なら (nara) or ならば (naraba)
There's no fundamental difference between "nara" and "naraba".
At the most "naraba" sounds a little more formal than
"nara".
なら(nara) can also be used after nouns. Another possible combination
is "rentaikei + のなら (no nara)".
The rentaikei + なら is never found at the end of a sentence. It
always ends the conditional clause, followed by the main clause.
なら(nara), unlike some other conditional forms, cannot be used as
a temporal form. なら (nara) and ならば (naraba) are strictly used as
conditional forms.
| |
そうするならできない。(Sou suru nara
dekinai.)
If you do it like that it won't work.
明日ならば行けます。 (Ashita naraba
ikemasu.)
If it's tomorrow, I can go.
貴方がしないのなら誰がするでしょうか。 (Anata ga shinai no
nara dare ga suru deshou ka.)
If you don't do it, who will?
飲むなら乗るな。乗るなら飲むな。 (Nomu
nara noru na. Noru nara
nomu na.)
If you drink, don't drive. If you drive, don't drink. |
| |
Ren'youkei
+ たら (tara)
Besides its conditional function the ren'youkei + たら (tara) can
also be used to describe an observation or conclusion. In this case
it can be translated as "Now that I..." (often encountered
as ren'youkei + てみたら (te mitara)), or as "when" or "while",
describing a coincidence or one-off occurance).
The ren'youkei + たら is never found at the end of a sentence. It
always ends the conditional clause, followed by the main clause.
| |
高かったら買わない。 (Takakattara
kawanai.)
If it's expensive I won't buy it.
説明を読んでみたらすぐ分かります。 (Setsumei wo yonde mitara
sugu wakarimasu.)
When you've read the instructions you will understand. |
| |
Ren'youkei
+ ては (te wa)
The ren'youkei + ては (te wa) can only be used in situations where,
if something does or doesn't happen, the result is negative or one
gets into trouble.
| |
お金がなくてはあんたに払えません。(O-kane ga nakute
wa anta ni haraemasen.)
If I don't have any money I can't pay you.
彼が来なくては困る。(Kare ga konakute wa
komaru.)
If he doesn't show up I don't know what to do. |
| |
Izenkei + ば (ba)
The izenkei + ば(ba) is used when there is a logical cause and effect
relation. It can also be used to describe an observation or conclusion.
In this case it can be translated as "Now that I..." (often
encountered as ren'youkei + てみれば (te mireba)), as "when"
or "while", describing a coincidence or one-off occurance
(used as とき (toki)), or as "and then" when actions are
performed by the same grammatical subject.
The izenkei + ば is never found at the end of a sentence. It always
ends the conditional clause, followed by the main clause.
| |
高かければ買えない。(Takakereba
kaenai.)
If it's expensive I can't buy it.
説明を読んでみればすぐ分かります。 (Setsumei wo yonde mireba
sugu wakarimasu.)
When you've read the instructions you will understand.
どうすればいいでしょうか (Dou sureba
ii deshou ka.)
What would be the best way to do this? (Literally: If I do
it how, will it be ok?) |
| |
だ (da)
The verb だ (da) doesn't have an izenkei conjugation, it
is therefore not possible to contract である (de aru) into だ (da).
| Present tense |
Conditional form |
| ある |
aru |
あれば |
areba |
| である |
de aru |
であれば |
de areba |
| だ |
da |
であれば |
de areba |
| です |
desu |
であれば |
de areba |
Related pages:
Rentaikei
+ と (to)
Rentaikei
+ なら(ば) (nara(ba))
Ren'youkei
+ て (te)
Izenkei
+ ば (ba) |
