Japanese conditional sentences play a crucial role in expressing hypothetical situations, making requests, giving advice, and expressing desires or preferences. They allow speakers to convey various shades of meaning based on different conditions. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the different types of conditional sentences in Japanese and provide examples to help beginners understand their usage.
Introduction to Conditionality in Japanese
Conditionality in Japanese is expressed using specific verb forms and particles. The two main types of conditional sentences are “If-conditional” and “When-conditional.”
If-Conditional Sentences (ba-form)
In Japanese, the most common type of conditional sentence is the “If-conditional” sentence, which is formed using the “ba-form” of verbs. The “ba-form” is derived by attaching the conditional suffix “-ba” to the verb’s stem.
Example:
If it rains, I will stay at home.
雨が降れば、家にいます。
(Ame ga fureba, ie ni imasu.)
In this example, the “ba-form” of the verb “furu” (to rain) is “fureba,” which expresses the condition “if it rains.” The second part of the sentence, “ie ni imasu” (I will stay at home), indicates the result or action that follows the condition.
When-Conditional Sentences (tara-form)
The “When-conditional” sentences in Japanese use the “tara-form” of verbs. The “tara-form” is created by adding the conditional suffix “-tara” to the verb’s stem. This type of conditional sentence expresses an action that will occur after a specific condition is met.
Example:
When I finish work, I will go to the park.
仕事が終わったら、公園に行きます。
(Shigoto ga owattara, kōen ni ikimasu.)
Here, the “tara-form” of the verb “owaru” (to finish) is “owattara,” which expresses the condition “when I finish work.” The second part of the sentence, “kōen ni ikimasu” (I will go to the park), indicates the action that follows the condition.
Conditional Sentences with “to” (if/when)
In addition to using specific verb forms, conditional sentences in Japanese can also be formed using the particle “to” (と). This particle can be translated as “if” or “when” depending on the context.
Example:
If/When you have time, please call me.
時間があると、電話してください。
(Jikan ga aru to, denwa shite kudasai.)
In this example, the phrase “jikan ga aru to” (if/when you have time) introduces the condition, and “denwa shite kudasai” (please call me) indicates the action that follows the condition.
Negative Conditional Sentences (ba-form)
Negative conditional sentences in Japanese are formed by using the negative “ba-form” of verbs. The negative “ba-form” is created by adding “ba” to the negative base form of a verb.
Example:
If I don’t study, I won’t pass the exam.
勉強しなければ、試験に合格できません。
(Benkyō shinakereba, shiken ni gōkaku dekimasen.)
Here, the negative “ba-form” of the verb “benkyō suru” (to study) is “benkyō shinakereba,” which expresses the negative condition “if I don’t study.” The second part of the sentence, “shiken ni gōkaku dekimasen” (I won’t pass the exam), indicates the result or action that follows the negative condition.
Conditional Sentences with “nara” (if/when)
Another way to express conditional sentences in Japanese is by using the particle “nara” (なら), which can be translated as “if” or “when.”
Example:
If/When you go to Tokyo, please visit Shibuya.
東京に行くなら、渋谷に行ってください。
(Tōkyō ni iku nara, Shibuya ni itte kudasai.)
In this example, the phrase “Tōkyō ni iku nara” (if/when you go to Tokyo) introduces the condition, and “Shibuya ni itte kudasai” (please visit Shibuya) indicates the action that follows the condition.
Mixed Conditional Sentences
Japanese conditional sentences also allow for mixed conditions, where both the “if-conditional” and “when-conditional” elements are combined to express complex conditions.
Example:
If/When I see him, I will tell him the news.
彼に会ったら、そのニュースを伝えます。
(Kare ni attara, sono nyūsu o tsutaemasu.)
Here, the mixed conditional sentence combines both the “if-conditional” (“kare ni attara,” if I see him) and “when-conditional” (“sono nyūsu o tsutaemasu,” I will tell him the news) forms to express a complex condition.
Conclusion
Conditional sentences are an essential part of Japanese grammar, allowing speakers to express hypothetical situations and convey requests or advice. By understanding the different verb forms and particles used in conditional sentences, beginners can effectively communicate various conditions and actions in Japanese. Practice constructing and using these sentence structures in everyday conversations to further enhance your understanding and fluency in the language.
Quick quiz
Exercise 1:
Choose the correct conditional form to complete the sentence.
彼に会う( )私は喜びます。
a) たら (tara)
b) なら (nara)
c) ば (ba)
Answer: a) たら (tara)
Explanation: The correct conditional form to use in this sentence is “たら” (tara) because it indicates a specific condition “if/when I meet him” followed by the result “I will be happy.” The sentence should be written as 「彼に会ったら、私は喜びます。」(Kare ni attara, watashi wa yorokobimasu.)
Exercise 2:
Select the appropriate conditional sentence to complete the dialogue.
A: 今日は雨が降る( )行かない方がいいですよ。
B: そうですか。じゃあ、明日にしましょう。
a) と (to)
b) ば (ba)
c) なら (nara)
Answer: b) ば (ba)
Explanation: The correct conditional sentence to use in this dialogue is “ば” (ba) because it expresses the condition “if it rains” followed by the advice “it’s better not to go.” The dialogue should be written as follows:
A: 今日は雨が降れば、行かない方がいいですよ。
B: そうですか。じゃあ、明日にしましょう。
(A: Kyō wa ame ga fureba, ikanai hō ga ii desu yo.
B: Sō desu ka. Jā, ashita ni shimashō.)
Exercise 3:
Choose the correct negative conditional form to complete the sentence.
もし時間がなければ、( )行かない方がいいです。
a) たら (tara)
b) なら (nara)
c) ば (ba)
Answer: c) ば (ba)
Explanation: The correct negative conditional form to use in this sentence is “ば” (ba) because it expresses the negative condition “if there is no time” followed by the advice “it’s better not to go.” The sentence should be written as 「もし時間がなければ、行かない方がいいです。」(Moshi jikan ga nakereba, ikanai hō ga ii desu.)
Exercise 4:
Choose the correct conditional form to complete the sentence.
もし日本に行く( )、東京タワーを訪れてください。
a) なら (nara)
b) たら (tara)
c) と (to)
Answer: a) なら (nara)
Explanation: The correct conditional form to use in this sentence is “なら” (nara) because it introduces the condition “if you go to Japan” followed by the request “please visit Tokyo Tower.” The sentence should be written as 「もし日本に行くなら、東京タワーを訪れてください。」(Moshi Nihon ni iku nara, Tōkyō Tawā o otozurete kudasai.)
Exercise 5:
Select the appropriate conditional sentence to complete the dialogue.
A: もし電話があったら、教えてください。
B: 分かりました。必ず伝えます。
a) なら (nara)
b) と (to)
c) ば (ba)
Answer: b) と (to)
Explanation: The correct conditional sentence to use in this dialogue is “と” (to) because it introduces the condition “if there is a phone call” followed by the request “please let me know.”
Exercise 7:
Choose the correct conditional form to complete the sentence.
もし彼女に会えたら、( )話したいです。
a) と (to)
b) ば (ba)
c) なら (nara)
Answer: a) と (to)
Explanation: The correct conditional form to use in this sentence is “と” (to) because it introduces the condition “if I can meet her” followed by the desire “I want to talk.” The sentence should be written as 「もし彼女に会えたら、話したいです。」(Moshi kanojo ni aetara, hanashitai desu.)
Exercise 8:
Select the appropriate conditional sentence to complete the dialogue.
A: もし試験に合格すれば、ご褒美をあげますよ。
B: それなら、頑張ります!
a) なら (nara)
b) ば (ba)
c) と (to)
Answer: b) ば (ba)
Explanation: The correct conditional sentence to use in this dialogue is “ば” (ba) because it expresses the condition “if you pass the exam” followed by the promise “I will give you a reward.” The dialogue should be written as follows:
A: もし試験に合格すれば、ご褒美をあげますよ。
B: それなら、頑張ります!
(A: Moshi shiken ni gōkaku sureba, gohōbi o agemasu yo.
B: Sore nara, ganbarimasu!)
Exercise 9:
Choose the correct negative conditional form to complete the sentence.
もし早く起きなければ、( )遅刻します。
a) と (to)
b) ば (ba)
c) なら (nara)
Answer: b) ば (ba)
Explanation: The correct negative conditional form to use in this sentence is “ば” (ba) because it expresses the negative condition “if you don’t wake up early” followed by the result “you will be late.” The sentence should be written as 「もし早く起きなければ、遅刻します。」(Moshi hayaku okinakereba, chikoku shimasu.)
Exercise 10:
Choose the correct conditional form to complete the sentence.
もし友達が来たら、( )一緒に映画を見ましょう。
a) なら (nara)
b) と (to)
c) ば (ba)
Answer: a) なら (nara)
Explanation: The correct conditional form to use in this sentence is “なら” (nara) because it introduces the condition “if my friend comes” followed by the suggestion “let’s watch a movie together.” The sentence should be written as 「もし友達が来たら、一緒に映画を見ましょう。」(Moshi tomodachi ga kitara, issho ni eiga o mimashō.)
In each exercise, the correct answer was chosen based on the appropriate conditional form that fits the given context. By understanding the specific conditions and results expressed by each conditional form, learners can accurately construct conditional sentences in Japanese.
Originally posted 2023-07-20 04:43:38.