Japanese from zero · N4 Lesson 9
If… (2)
〜ば ・ 〜場合は ・ 〜なら ・ 〜ても
In this lesson, you will learn to say 'if' with the ば-form, to say what to do in case something happens, to give advice about something just mentioned with なら, and to say 'even if'. A typhoon may hit on the day of the 学園祭, and the friends make a plan B.
By the end you will be able to say
雨が 止めば、外で できます。If the rain stops, we can do it outside.
雨の 場合は、講堂に 移ります。In case of rain, we'll move into the auditorium.
講堂なら、雨でも 安心です。If it's in the auditorium, we don't have to worry about rain.
雨が 降っても 行きます。I'll go even if it rains.
準備を 前の 日に すれば、間に合います。If we set up the day before, we'll be in time.
The grammar in this lesson
- If: 〜ば — The ば-form says 'if': when the condition is met, the result follows.
- In case of: 〜場合は — Noun + の, or a plain verb, + 場合は says what happens or what to do in case of something.
- If it's…: 〜なら — なら picks up a topic or a plan just mentioned: if it's X…, if you're going to…
- Even if: 〜ても — て-form + も says 'even if': the result does not change.