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Japaneseness.
Grammar N3 · unit 5 of 29 · 1 / 2
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H5Conditionals: ば, たら, なら, と — 条件の表し方

The four conditionals side by side, plus the set phrases built on them: ばいい, ばよかった, たらどう, てよかった.

〜と (conditional) V-dict / V-nai + と / i-adj + と / N・na-adj + だと
Verb (dictionary/nai form) + と. Means 'whenever/if A, then B naturally follows'. Used for natural results, habits and machines, not requests or intentions.
春になると花が咲く。 When spring comes, the flowers bloom.
〜ば V1: e-stem + ば / V2: stem + れば / i-adj: -ければ / N・na-adj: なら
Conditional ば: Group 1 → e-stem + ば, Group 2 → stem + れば, i-adj → ければ, noun/na-adj → なら(ば). Means 'if', focusing on the condition needed for a result.
このボタンを押せばドアが開く。 If you press this button, the door opens.
〜たら V-ta + ら / i-adj: -かったら / N・na-adj: だったら
Verb/adjective (ta-form) + ら. The most general conditional: 'if' or 'when', including unexpected results after doing something.
駅に着いたら電話してください。 When you get to the station, please call me.
〜なら V/i-adj plain + なら / N・na-adj + なら
Plain form + なら. Means 'if that is the case' — responds to what someone said or a known situation, often with advice or a suggestion.
京都に行くなら、秋がいいですよ。 If you're going to Kyoto, autumn is best.
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Japaneseness.
Grammar N3 · unit 5 of 29 · 2 / 2
Name   Date

H5Conditionals: ば, たら, なら, と — 条件の表し方

The four conditionals side by side, plus the set phrases built on them: ばいい, ばよかった, たらどう, てよかった.

〜ばいい V-ba + いい (+ です / んですか)
Verb (ba-form) + いい. Gives advice or a solution: 'you should / all you need to do is'. With a question word it asks 'what/how should I...?'.
分からなければ、先生に聞けばいい。 If you don't understand, you should just ask the teacher.
〜たらどう / 〜たらいい V-ta + らどう(ですか) / V-ta + らいい
Verb (ta-form) + らどう(ですか) makes a suggestion: 'how about doing X?'. 〜たらいい means 'it would be good to' or asks 'what should I do?'.
疲れているなら、早く寝たらどう？ If you're tired, how about going to bed early?
〜ばよかった V-ba + よかった / V-nakereba + よかった
Verb (ba-form) + よかった. Expresses regret: 'I should have done X'. With the negative (なければよかった) it means 'I shouldn't have'.
もっと勉強すればよかった。 I should have studied more.
〜てよかった V-te + よかった / V-nakute + よかった
Verb (te-form) + よかった. Expresses relief or gladness: 'I'm glad that I did / that it happened'.
あなたに会えてよかった。 I'm glad I was able to meet you.
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