と
If, When, Whenever, And, [Conditional]
Structure
［い］Adjective + と
［な］Adjective + だ + と
Noun + だ + と
Explanation
While the case marking particleと is well-known for its meaning of 'and', it is sometimes also used to mean 'if'. When used this way, it implies a much stronger and more certain connection than other conditionals like ば, なら, or たら, which tend to express hypothetical situations. This is because と is used to emphasize a direct result. In this conditional role, と acts as a conjunction particle, showing one of the following three relationships.
仮定の順接 - A natural, expected consequence of a hypothetical situation.
確定の順接 - A definite consequence of a known fact or action.
仮定の逆接 - The opposite of what one would normally expect from a hypothetical situation.
Because of this focus on direct results, when you use と to mean 'if', the outcome (B) is presented as something that will inevitably happen whenever the condition (A) is met.
- このボタンを押すと、ドアが開く。If you push this button, the door will open.
- 値段が高いと、買えない。If the price is high, I can't buy it.
- 暇だと、いつもテレビを見る。If I'm free, I always watch TV.
- 雨だと、外に出かけない。If it rains, I don't go out.
You cannot use と for outcomes that are merely possible or uncertain. The result (B) must be a certain or near-certain outcome.
- 学校に行くと、先生に会う。If I go to school, I will meet my teacher. (Unnatural in Japanese, as it implies meeting the teacher is a 100% guaranteed result of going to school.)
With this specific nuance, even though we often translate と as 'if', its core meaning is closer to 'and'. It links two events, (A) and (B), that are inseparable and always occur together.
- 角を曲がると、駅があった。I turned the corner, and the station was right there.
Examples
このボタンを押すと、音が出ます。
If you press this button, a sound comes out.
春が来ると、花が咲く。
When spring comes, the flowers bloom.
この道をまっすぐ行くと、右側に駅が見えます。
If you go straight down this road, you will see the station on your right side.
夜に食べ過ぎると、おなかが痛くなるよ。
If you eat too much at night, your stomach will hurt.
毎朝コーヒーを飲むと、元気が出ます。
Whenever I drink coffee in the morning, I feel energized.
暗くなると、電気が自動でつく。
When it gets dark, the lights turn on automatically.
ここで走ると、転びますよ。
If you run here, you will fall.
雨が降ると道が滑りやすくなるので、気をつけた方がいい。
When it rains the roads get slippery, so it's best to be careful.
お金を入れると、切符が出てきます。
If you insert money, a ticket will come out.
水は１００度になると沸騰する。
When water reaches 100 degrees, it boils.
毎日運動をすると、体が軽くなる。
If you exercise every day, your body feels lighter.
このスイッチを入れると、パソコンが起動します。
If you flip this switch, the computer will start up.