if ~, when ~

Beginner

10-15 min

common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Conditional form expressing "if" or "when".

[Verb ば-form] / [い-adj → ければ] / [な-adj/noun → なら(ば)]

時間があれば、行きます。

Jikan ga areba, ikimasu.

If I have time, I'll go.

安ければ、買います。

Yasukereba, kaimasu.

If it's cheap, I'll buy it.

Don't use for commands/requests after ば.

～たら (tara form)

if ~, when ~, after ~

～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 ~

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 10

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