in the case of ~, if/when ~

Beginner

15-20 min

common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Formal way to express conditional situations.

[Plain form/Noun + の] + 場合

雨の場合は、中止します。

Ame no baai wa, chuushi shimasu.

In case of rain, it will be cancelled.

分からない場合は、質問してください。

Wakaranai baai wa, shitsumon shite kudasai.

If you don't understand, please ask questions.

More formal than たら or と conditionals.

～てもいいです

may do ~, it's okay to do ~

～てはいけません

must not do ~, not allowed to do ~

～なければなりません

must do ~, have to do ~

～なくてもいいです

don't have to do ~, don't need to do ~

Common in formal contexts and announcements.

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 2

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