場合は【ばあいは】

The expression ばあい場合は (ばあいは) means "in the case that" or "in the event of" and is used to describe what should be done or what happens when a particular situation arises. It is more formal and objective than other conditionals like たら or と, and is commonly found in instructions, rules, announcements, and formal explanations.

How to connect

場合は attaches to different word types as follows:

• Verb (plain form)
  • 場合は:
    あめがふる雨が降るばあい場合は、しあい試合はちゅうし中止です。

    In the event that it rains, the game will be cancelled.
• Verb (た-form)
  • 場合は:
    ぱすわあどパスワードをわすれた忘れたばあい場合は、こちらをくりっくクリックしてください。

    If you have forgotten your password, please click here.
• い-adjective
  • 場合は:
    ねだん値段がたかい高いばあい場合は、かわなくて買わなくてもいいです。

    If the price is high, you don't have to buy it.
• な-adjective + な
  • 場合は:
    ひつよう必要なばあい場合は、れんらく連絡してください。

    If necessary, please contact us.
• Noun + の
  • 場合は:
    きんきゅう緊急のばあい場合は、いちいちきゅう119にでんわ電話してください。

    In case of an emergency, please call 119.

Plain form vs. た-form before 場合は

Both the plain non-past and た-form can precede 場合は. The plain form describes a hypothetical situation that may occur, while the た-form describes a situation after something has already happened or been completed.

場合は vs. 場合

While ばあい場合は highlights the condition as the topic of the sentence (often contrasting it with other cases), ばあい場合 without は can also be used. Adding は emphasizes "in that case" specifically.

Usage notes

場合は is especially common in written language, formal speech, manuals, and public announcements. It conveys a more detached, objective tone compared to casual conditionals like たら or ば.