What is the Conditional と?
The conditional と is used when one thing naturally and predictably leads to another. It's for cause-and-effect relationships that always hold true. Like giving directions, describing how machines work, or stating natural phenomena.
Think of it as "whenever X happens, Y always follows." The result isn't a choice or a hope. It's automatic. Our lesson on Japanese conditionals compares と with ば, たら, and なら so you can choose the right one.
How to Use
Place と after a clause in its non-past form (dictionary form for verbs, plain present for adjectives/nouns). The result clause that follows can be any tense.
Structure: [condition in non-past] + と + [inevitable result]
The verb before と can be positive or negative:
- 食べると太る (if you eat, you get fat)
- 食べないと痩せる (if you don't eat, you get thin)
When to Use と
Directions
- まっすぐ行くと、左に郵便局があります (Go straight and the post office is on the left)
How machines/systems work
- このボタンを押すと、切符が出ます (Press this button and a ticket comes out)
Natural phenomena
- 春になると、桜が咲く (When spring comes, the cherry blossoms bloom)
General truths
- 20歳以上だと、日本ではお酒が飲める (If you're over 20, you can drink in Japan)
Discoveries
- 家に帰ると、猫が寝ていた (When I got home, the cat was sleeping)
What You CANNOT Follow と With
The result clause must NOT express:
- Your will or intention (～たい, ～よう)
- Permission (～てもいい)
- Requests (～てください)
- Commands (～なさい)
- Invitations (～ましょう)
These are controllable actions. と is strictly for uncontrollable, natural outcomes.
Wrong: アルバイトが終わると、来てください ✗
Right: アルバイトが終わったら、来てください ✓ (use たら instead)
と vs Other Conditionals
| Pattern | Nuance |
|---|---|
| と | Natural/automatic result, always true |
| ば | General "if" with fewer restrictions |
| たら | "If/when" with most flexibility |
| なら | "If it's the case that ~" (hypothetical) |
と is the most restrictive but also the most precise. When you use it, the listener knows you mean "this always/naturally happens."
Example Sentences
-
まっすぐ行くと、左に郵便局があります。 (massugu iku to, hidari ni yuubinkyoku ga arimasu.) — Go straight, and the post office will be on the left.
-
このボタンを押すと、お菓子が出ます。 (kono botan wo osu to, okashi ga demasu.) — Press this button and a snack comes out.
-
何も食べないと、痩せます。 (nanimo tabenai to, yasemasu.) — If you don't eat anything, you'll get thin.
-
春になると花が咲く。 (haru ni naru to hana ga saku.) — When spring comes, flowers bloom.
-
窓を開けると、海が見えた。 (mado wo akeru to, umi ga mieta.) — When I opened the window, I could see the ocean.
-
右に曲がると駅が見えます。 (migi ni magaru to eki ga miemasu.) — Turn right and you'll see the station.
-
20歳以上だと、お酒が飲めます。 (hatachi ijou da to, osake ga nomemasu.) — If you're 20 or older, you can drink alcohol.
-
彼に聞くとなんでも知っている。 (kare ni kiku to nandemo shitte iru.) — Ask him and he knows everything.