耳カード · Mimicard

if / when / after (conditional & sequential)

Form
Verb[] + / Adj[] + / NounAdj +
Means
if / when / after (conditional & sequential)
Level
JLPT N4
Romaji
tara

How it works

Form: attach to the plain past. Verbs: → , → . -adjectives: → . -adjectives & nouns: → , → .

Meaning: the widest, most useful conditional. Covers both if (hypothetical) and when (certain future event, followed by a natural next step). The main clause always describes what happens after the -clause is true — never simultaneous.

Key rule: the second clause can be almost anything — command (), suggestion (), volitional, past experience (… = when I went to Japan, …).

vs. : topic-first hypothetical — if we're talking about X, then… ( if you're going to Japan, Kyoto is good). vs. : automatic natural consequence, no volitional main clause (). vs. : more general/timeless conditional; can't easily take a command in the main clause.

Examples

Furigana is above every kanji; the pattern is already filled in.

時じ間かんがあったら、映えい画がを見みましょう。

If we have time, let's watch a movie.

駅えきに着ついたら、電でん話わしてください。

When you arrive at the station, please call me.

この本ほんを読よんだら貸かしてね。

Once you've read this book, lend it to me, okay?

Now try it

The same three sentences with the pattern taken back out. Nothing is saved and there is no account: answer with a click, or press 1 to 4.

Put it on a schedule. In the app this lesson comes back as fill-in-the-blank questions at widening intervals, alongside the other fourteen, until you stop having to think about it. The grammar lessons are free and never count towards the free plan's 100 words.

Open the app
← 〜てはいけない 〜ながら →