JLPT N4 Lesson 6: The Four Conditionals — Deep Dive

Master all four Japanese conditional forms — 〜たら, 〜ば, 〜なら, 〜と — with a comprehensive 4×4 comparison grid, learner error analysis, and contexts where substitution between them is impossible.

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Overview

Japanese does not have a single word for "if." Instead, it uses four distinct conditional forms — 〜たら, 〜ば, 〜なら, and 〜と — each encoding a different type of conditional relationship. While all four can often be translated as "if" in English, they are not freely interchangeable in Japanese. Using the wrong conditional can produce sentences that are grammatically awkward, socially inappropriate, or logically incorrect — and the JLPT tests this distinction directly.

The key to mastering the four conditionals is understanding what each one implies about the relationship between the condition and the result. 〜たら focuses on temporal sequence after a completed state; 〜ば focuses on a general hypothetical condition; 〜なら responds to a topic already raised in context; and 〜と describes an automatic, inevitable, or habitual result. This lesson provides a complete 4×4 comparison grid, conjugation rules, example sentences, error analysis for each form, and contexts where substitution between conditionals is impossible.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson you can:

  • Conjugate all four conditional forms for verbs, adjectives, and nouns.
  • Select the correct conditional based on context — temporal sequence, hypothetical advice, contextual response, or automatic result.
  • Identify the specific contexts where each conditional CANNOT be substituted by another.
  • Avoid the most common learner errors: using 〜と with requests/intentions, 〜なら when sequence matters, and 〜ば in counterfactual past regrets (→ use たら).

New Vocabulary

Japanese Reading Romaji English Part of Speech
もし もし moshi if (hypothetical marker) Adverb
仮に かりに kari ni hypothetically, temporarily Adverb
条件 じょうけん jōken condition, requirement Noun
結果 けっか kekka result, outcome Noun
自動的 じどうてき jidōteki automatic Na-adjective
規則 きそく kisoku rule, regulation Noun
提案 ていあん teian suggestion, proposal Noun
アドバイス あどばいす adobaisu advice Noun
仮定 かてい katei assumption, hypothesis Noun
後悔 こうかい kōkai regret Noun/Verb
順番 じゅんばん junban order, sequence Noun
必然的 ひつぜんてき hitsuzenteki inevitable, necessary Na-adjective
習慣 しゅうかん shūkan habit, custom Noun
操作 そうさ sōsa operation, procedure Noun
文脈 ぶんみゃく bunmyaku context Noun

Grammar Points

4×4 Comparison Grid

Feature 〜たら 〜ば 〜なら 〜と
Core meaning After/when [A] is complete, [B] If [A] (hypothetically), [B] If it's the case that [A] (contextual) When [A], [B] automatically follows
Timing A must complete first A is a condition (no completion needed) A is a premise from context Simultaneous or automatic sequence
Result clause Volitional and non-volitional OK Mostly non-volitional result Volitional and advice Non-volitional / automatic ONLY
Request as result OK (〜たら、してください) Awkward OK NOT OK
Personal intentions as result OK Mostly OK OK NOT OK
Counterfactual/regret ✓ (〜ていたら) ✓ (〜いれば) ✗ ✗
Giving directions OK but less natural Less common Contextual Best for directions
Advice OK Best (general advice) Best (contextual advice) Not used for advice

1. 〜たら (After/When — Completed Condition)

Structure:

  • Verb: た-form + ら (食べたら, 来たら, したら)
  • い-adjective: かった + ら (寒かったら)
  • な-adjective/noun: だった + ら (暇だったら, 学生だったら)

Explanation:

〜たら treats the condition as a completed event or state. Once A happens (or is completed), B follows. It is the most versatile conditional and the safest default when unsure which to use. Key unique uses of 〜たら:

  1. After-sequence: 宿題をしたら、遊んでもいいよ (You can play after you've done your homework)
  2. Discovering something unexpected upon doing A: 家に帰ったら、手紙が届いていた (When I got home, a letter had arrived)
  3. Counterfactual regret with past たら: もっと勉強していたら、合格できたのに (If I had studied more, I could have passed)

Examples:

Japanese Reading Romaji English
着いたら、電話してください。 ついたら、でんわしてください。 Tsuitara, denwa shite kudasai. When you arrive, please call me.
家に帰ったら、弟が泣いていた。 いえにかえったら、おとうとがないていた。 Ie ni kaettara, otōto ga naite ita. When I got home, my brother was crying.
安かったら、買います。 やすかったら、かいます。 Yasukatara, kaimasu. If it's cheap, I'll buy it.
もっと早く起きていたら、電車に乗れたのに。 もっとはやくおきていたら、でんしゃにのれたのに。 Motto hayaku okite itara, densha ni noreta noni. If I had gotten up earlier, I could have caught the train.

When NOT to substitute another conditional for 〜たら:

  • When expressing surprise/discovery upon doing A → must use たら
  • For requests after a condition → たら is preferred
  • For counterfactual past regret → たら or ば, NOT なら or と

Common learner error: ❌ 着くと、電話してください (〜と cannot precede requests) → ✓ 着いたら、電話してください

2. 〜ば (Hypothetical / General Condition)

Structure:

  • u-verbs: final u → e + ば (書く → 書けば, 飲む → 飲めば)
  • ru-verbs: drop る + れば (食べる → 食べれば)
  • い-adjective: drop い + ければ (安い → 安ければ)
  • な-adjective: であれば / なら (effectively overlaps with なら for na-adj)
  • する → すれば; くる → くれば
  • Negative: 〜なければ (if not)

Explanation:

〜ば expresses a hypothetical or logical condition: if X is true (as a general fact or hypothesis), then Y follows. It is the conditional of general rules, advice, and principles. Unlike たら, it does not emphasize the completion of the condition — it simply sets it as a premise. 〜ば is commonly used in proverbs and general truths. However, 〜ば cannot be used when the result clause is an intentional action or request toward another person (use たら or なら instead).

Examples:

Japanese Reading Romaji English
毎日練習すれば、上手になります。 まいにちれんしゅうすれば、じょうずになります。 Mainichi renshū sureba, jōzu ni narimasu. If you practice every day, you'll get better.
安ければ買います。 やすければかいます。 Yasukereba kaimasu. If it's cheap, I'll buy it.
分からなければ、聞いてください。 わからなければ、きいてください。 Wakaranakereba, kiite kudasai. If you don't understand, please ask.
急げば間に合います。 いそげばまにあいます。 Isogebā ma ni aimasu. If you hurry, you'll make it in time.

When NOT to use 〜ば:

  • When the result clause is a request or command → use たら
  • When referring to a specific past situation → use たら
  • When providing advice based on a topic raised in conversation → use なら

Common learner error: ❌ 来れば、一緒に食べましょう (〜ば + invitation sounds unnatural) → ✓ 来たら、一緒に食べましょう

3. 〜なら (Contextual / Topic Conditional)

Structure: [Plain form / Noun] + なら

Explanation:

〜なら is the conversational conditional — it responds to information or a topic already introduced by the other speaker (or context). It means "if that is indeed the case / given that (what you said is true), then..." The key nuance is that 〜なら borrows a premise from the conversation, rather than creating a new hypothetical. For this reason:

  • 〜なら can precede the first clause in time (A can happen after B: 〜なら、もう〜た may be awkward)
  • 〜なら is ideal for advice based on someone's stated situation
  • 〜なら can follow the plain-form result before it: 行くなら、早く行きなさい (If you're going, go now)

Examples:

Japanese Reading Romaji English
日本へ行くなら、京都に寄ってみてください。 にほんへいくなら、きょうとによってみてください。 Nihon e iku nara, Kyōto ni yotte mite kudasai. If you're going to Japan, please stop by Kyoto.
お腹が痛いなら、薬を飲んだほうがいいですよ。 おなかがいたいなら、くすりをのんだほうがいいですよ。 Onaka ga itai nara, kusuri o nonda hō ga ii desu yo. If you have a stomachache, you should take medicine.
安いなら、買う。 やすいなら、かう。 Yasui nara, kau. If it's cheap (as you say), I'll buy it.
私なら、そんなことはしない。 わたしなら、そんなことはしない。 Watashi nara, son'na koto wa shinai. If it were me, I wouldn't do such a thing.

When NOT to use 〜なら:

  • For natural sequences or automatic results → use と
  • When the condition involves completion and sequence → use たら
  • For counterfactual regret → use たら or ば

Common learner error: ❌ 東京駅に着くなら、電話してください (〜なら doesn't imply "upon arriving") → ✓ 東京駅に着いたら、電話してください

4. 〜と (Natural / Automatic Consequence)

Structure: [Plain form (non-past)] + と

Explanation:

〜と is used for automatic, inevitable, or habitual relationships between two events. When A happens, B always follows — like a physical law, a machine operation, a natural cycle, or a habitual sequence. The critical restriction: the result clause cannot express the speaker's will, intention, request, or permission. You cannot use 〜と for:

  • Personal plans: ✗ 春になると、花見に行きます (if the decision is volitional)
  • Requests: ✗ 着くと、電話してください
  • Giving advice: ✗ 勉強すると、合格するよ (possible but has an automatic-law feel; たら or ば more natural)

〜と is ideal for: directions ("turn right, and there's the station"), how-to instructions, natural phenomena, and habitual sequences.

Examples:

Japanese Reading Romaji English
ボタンを押すと、ドアが開きます。 ボタンをおすと、ドアがひらきます。 Botan o osu to, doa ga hirakimasu. When you press the button, the door opens.
春になると、桜が咲きます。 はるになると、さくらがさきます。 Haru ni naru to, sakura ga sakimasu. When spring comes, the cherry blossoms bloom.
この道をまっすぐ行くと、駅があります。 このみちをまっすぐいくと、えきがあります。 Kono michi o massugu iku to, eki ga arimasu. If you go straight down this road, there's a station.
お酒を飲むと、顔が赤くなります。 おさけをのむと、かおがあかくなります。 Osake o nomu to, kao ga akaku narimasu. When I drink alcohol, my face turns red.

When NOT to use 〜と:

  • Requests, commands, invitations → use たら
  • Personal intentions/plans → use たら or ば
  • Advice based on context → use なら

Common learner error: ❌ 来ると、一緒に食べよう → ✓ 来たら、一緒に食べよう (〜と cannot precede volitional expressions like 〜よう)

Dialogues

Dialogue 1: Planning a Trip — Using All Four Conditionals

Keiko (K) and Ryo (R) are planning a weekend trip.

# Japanese Romaji English Conditional
1 K: 週末、天気が良ければ、山に行こう！ Shūmatsu, tenki ga yokereba, yama ni ikō! If the weather's good this weekend, let's go to the mountains! 〜ば
2 R: いいね。でも雨が降ったら、どうする？ Ii ne. Demo ame ga futtara, dō suru? Sounds good. But if it rains, what do we do? 〜たら
3 K: 雨なら、家で映画でも見よう。 Ame nara, ie de eiga demo miyō. If it rains (as you say), let's watch a movie at home. 〜なら
4 R: うん。新幹線で行くと、1時間ぐらいで着くよ。 Un. Shinkansen de iku to, ichijikan gurai de tsuku yo. Yeah. If we go by bullet train, it takes about an hour. 〜と
5 K: そうか。切符を早めに買っておけば、安くなるよ。 Sōka. Kippu o hayame ni katte okeba, yasuku naru yo. Really. If we buy tickets early, they'll be cheaper. 〜ば
6 R: じゃあ今日買おう。着いたら、まず食事にしよう。 Jā kyō kaō. Tsuitara, mazu shokuji ni shiyō. Let's buy them today then. When we arrive, let's eat first. 〜たら
7 K: 山に行くなら、歩きやすい靴を履いてきてね。 Yama ni iku nara, arukiyasui kutsu o haite kite ne. If you're going to the mountain, wear comfortable shoes. 〜なら
8 R: もちろん！天気が悪くなると、すぐ帰ろう。 Mochiron! Tenki ga waruku naru to, sugu kaerō. Of course! When the weather turns bad, let's go home right away. 〜と
9 K: そうしよう。楽しみだね！ Sō shiyō. Tanoshimi da ne! Let's do that. Looking forward to it! —
10 R: うん！週末、晴れるといいな。 Un! Shūmatsu, hareru to ii na. Yeah! Hope it clears up over the weekend. —

Dialogue 2: Giving Advice and Directions

A university student (S) asks a campus guide (G) for help.

# Japanese Romaji English
1 S: すみません、図書館に行くにはどうすればいいですか。 Sumimasen, toshokan ni iku ni wa dō sureba ii desu ka. Excuse me, how should I go to the library?
2 G: この廊下をまっすぐ行くと、エレベーターがあります。 Kono rōka o massugu iku to, erebētā ga arimasu. If you go straight down this hallway, there's an elevator.
3 S: エレベーターに乗ったら、何階に行けばいいですか。 Erebētā ni nottara, nankai ni ikeba ii desu ka. After I take the elevator, which floor should I go to?
4 G: 3階に行けば、図書館があります。 Sankai ni ikeba, toshokan ga arimasu. If you go to the 3rd floor, there's the library.
5 S: ありがとうございます。あと、試験について聞いてもいいですか。 Arigatō gozaimasu. Ato, shiken ni tsuite kiite mo ii desu ka. Thank you. Also, may I ask about the exam?
6 G: どうぞ。何ですか。 Dōzo. Nan desu ka. Please go ahead. What is it?
7 S: 試験に落ちたら、再試験があると聞きましたが。 Shiken ni ochitara, saishiken ga aru to kikimashita ga. I heard that if you fail the exam, there's a re-examination.
8 G: そうです。落ちたなら、申請すれば受けられます。 Sō desu. Ochita nara, mōsei sureba ukeraremasu. Yes. If you fail, you can take it if you apply.
9 S: 分かりました。一生懸命勉強すれば大丈夫ですよね。 Wakarimashita. Isshōkenmei benkyō sureba daijōbu desu yo ne. I understand. If I study hard, I should be fine, right?
10 G: そうですよ。頑張ってください！ Sō desu yo. Ganbatte kudasai! Exactly. Good luck!

Grammar Drills

Choose the correct conditional (たら/ば/なら/と) and conjugate appropriately. Answers below.

  1. このボタンを押す___、音楽が流れます。（automatic result）
  2. 春___、花が咲きます。（natural sequence）
  3. 京都に行く___、金閣寺に行ってみてください。（contextual advice）
  4. 早く起きれ___、電車に乗れます。（general condition/advice）
  5. 家に帰っ___、すぐ電話します。（upon completing, then...）
  6. お金があれ___、旅行に行きます。（hypothetical）
  7. 熱がある___、休んだほうがいいですよ。（based on what you told me）
  8. 右に曲がる___、銀行が見えます。（direction instruction）
  9. 日本語を勉強し___、上手になりますよ。（general advice）
  10. 安かっ___、買います。（after seeing/discovering price）

Answer Key:

  1. と（押すと）
  2. になると（春になると）
  3. なら（行くなら）
  4. ば（早く起きれば）
  5. たら（帰ったら）
  6. ば（あれば）
  7. なら（あるなら）
  8. と（曲がると）
  9. ば（すれば）
  10. たら（安かったら）

Translation Practice

English → Japanese

  1. If it's cheap, I'll buy two. (use 〜ば)
  2. When you press this button, the light turns on. (use 〜と)
  3. If you're going to Japan, try visiting Osaka. (use 〜なら)
  4. Please call me when you arrive. (use 〜たら)
  5. If you had told me sooner, I could have helped. (use 〜たら counterfactual)

Answers:

  1. 安ければ、二つ買います。
  2. このボタンを押すと、電気がつきます。
  3. 日本に行くなら、大阪も行ってみてください。
  4. 着いたら、電話してください。
  5. もっと早く言ってくれたら、助けられたのに。

Japanese → English

  1. 毎日運動すれば、健康になります。
  2. 駅を出ると、すぐ左にコンビニがあります。
  3. 時間があるなら、お茶でも飲みませんか。
  4. 宿題が終わったら、テレビを見てもいいよ。
  5. もし宝くじに当たったら、旅行に行きたい。

Answers:

  1. If you exercise every day, you will become healthy.
  2. When you exit the station, there's a convenience store immediately to your left.
  3. If you have time (as you mentioned), shall we have some tea?
  4. When you've finished your homework, you may watch TV.
  5. If I were to win the lottery, I'd want to go traveling.

Cultural Note

The four conditionals reflect different ways Japanese culture conceptualizes causation and responsibility. 〜と, used for automatic consequences, embodies the Japanese appreciation for natural order and predictable systems (e.g., natural cycles, machine operations, traffic directions). The result must follow — it is not a matter of will or choice. By contrast, 〜なら reflects the conversational sensitivity of Japanese communication: rather than imposing your advice unilaterally, 〜なら says "given what you've told me about your situation, here's what I suggest." It acknowledges the other person's framing before adding your own.

The distinction between 〜ば and 〜たら also maps onto a cultural distinction between general principles (ば — if this is always the case) and specific, time-bound events (たら — once this particular event happens). Japanese advice-giving frequently uses 〜ば for universal principles ("study and you'll improve"), while personal instructions and requests favor 〜たら ("once you arrive, do this"). Mastering this distinction will make your Japanese sound naturally calibrated to both the situation and the relationship.

Self-Check

  1. Give one context where 〜と is mandatory and cannot be replaced by any other conditional.
  2. Why can't you use 〜と before a request like してください?
  3. What is the key characteristic of 〜なら that distinguishes it from 〜たら? Illustrate with a directions example.
  4. Write a sentence using 〜ば to give general advice, and another using 〜たら for a specific instruction after an event.
  5. Convert this counterfactual to Japanese: "If I had known about the party, I would have come."