# Conditional
## と
Means "if" when a result is known or assumed to be true, aka a logical cause-effect relationship. Cannot be used if the result is uncertain. So it cannot be an intention, a request, a desire, an order, etc.
> [!info] Example
> {急|いそ}いでない==と==、{遅刻|ちこく}に{着|つ}きます。
> If you don't hurry, you'll arrive late.
## なら
V (casual) + (の)
い-Adj + (の)
な-Adj + (の)
N
+ なら
Means "in the case that/of". The second part of the sentence is generally an opinion, a request or a suggestion.
Adding の adds emphasis.
> [!info] Example
> 車を使う==なら==、気を{付|つ}けて。
> If you're using a car, be careful.
## えば・なければ
Positive form:
V (う -> え)
い-Adj + けれ
な-Adj + なら
N + なら
+ ば
Negative form:
V ない
い-Adj ない
な-Adj + で
N + で
+ なければ
See Conjugation [[Basics]] for verbs (the う sound transforms the the corresponding え sound).
Means "if". A conditional relationship without the cause-effect relationship of と.
> [!info] Examples
> 雨が止==めれば==、店に行く。
> If it stops raining, I'll go to the store.
>
> おいしい==でなければ==、食べません。
> If it's not good, I will not eat it.
## たら
V (た)
い-Adj い + かった
な-Adj + だった
N + だった
+ ら
Means "if" or "when". Describes a condition (the first action must be completed before the second action). Usually used for hypothetical situations. It is the main word used for conditional.
> [!info] Example
> 安==かったら==、買う。
> (If / When) it's cheap, I'll buy it.
## 場合
V (casual)
い-Adj
な-Adj + な
N + の
+ 場合は
Means "in the case of". The second part explains what to do in the situation (instructions, advices, etc). More formal than たら.
> [!info] Example
> {地震|じ|しん}==の{場合|ば|あい}は==、エレベーターを使わないでください。
> In case of an earthquake, please don't use the elevators.