9.4 〜と conditional

AI-generated

Overview

The ～と conditional expresses automatic or natural results — things that always happen when a condition is met. It is used for general truths, habitual sequences, warnings, and immediate successive actions.

～と is used to express what always happens or immediately happens when a condition is met. It describes strong cause → result relationships.

Structure

Plain form + と + result

The result is usually a natural outcome, rule, habit.

Things that always happen / habits

～と is commonly used for general truths, habits, and repeated outcomes. It often appears with words like いつも, かならず必ず, よく.

、。

When you press this button, the door opens.

、。

When spring comes, cherry blossoms bloom.

、。

When I take this medicine, I get sleepy.

Habits:

、。

When I wake up in the morning

I always drink coffee first.

、。

When I get home

I take a shower.

、。

When night comes

I always write in my journal.

It is also often used for warning others (of the inevitable consequences of actions):

、。

If you touch it, it’s dangerous.

、。

If you enter here, the alarm will sound.

“What happens if … ?”

～と is also used to ask about consequences.

、。

What happens if I eat this?

、。

What happens if you press the button?

Successive actions (immediacy)

～と can connect two actions when the second happens immediately after the first. This emphasizes the immediacy of the second action and is frequently paired with すぐに.

、。

When I got home, I immediately went to sleep.

、。

When I opened the door, a cat came in.

Note how the second clause is in the past tense while the first is in the present tense.

Compared to the ～て form, ～と highlights that the second action happened right away, almost automatically.

Points to keep in mind

～と expresses automatic or guaranteed results
Common for habits and natural consequences
Often used for warnings
Emphasizes immediacy in successive actions

Dialogue

このかぎ鍵をまわす回すと、どあドアがひらきます開きます。みぎにまがる右に曲がると、すぐにえき駅がみえます見えます。このぼたんボタンをおす押すと、でんき電気がつきます。はる春になると、こうえん公園のさくら桜がきれいにさきます咲きます。あさ朝おきる起きると、まずまど窓をあけて開けてしんせん新鮮なくうき空気をすいます吸います。いえ家にかえる帰ると、すぐにて手をあらいます洗います。よる夜になると、かならず必ずにっき日記をかく書くようにしています。このくすり薬をのむ飲むと、すこし少しねむく眠くなるかもしれません。さわる触るとあぶない危ないので、きをつけて気をつけてください。ここにはいる入ると、けいほう警報がなります鳴ります。あめがふる雨が降ると、このみち道はとてもすべりやすく滑りやすくなります。まいあさ毎朝こうひいコーヒーをのむ飲むと、きもち気持ちがすっきりします。

When you turn this key, the door opens. If you turn right, you will see the station right away. When you press this button, the light turns on. When spring comes, the cherry blossoms in the park bloom beautifully. When I wake up in the morning, I first open the window and breathe in the fresh air. When I get home, I wash my hands right away. When night comes, I make sure to write in my diary. If you take this medicine, you may feel a little sleepy. Please be careful, because it is dangerous if you touch it. If you enter here, the alarm will sound. When it rains, this road becomes very slippery. Every morning when I drink coffee, I feel refreshed.

9.3 〜なら conditional

9.5 Advice and regret

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