Meaning
Used when the second result naturally and regularly follows the first action.
Formation
- Dictionary form or ない + と: 押すと
- Nouns and na-adjectives take だ: 春だと
- No request, order or invitation in the second clause
When to use it
- Core use
- If A, then B always follows
Examples
20 sentences-
春になると桜が咲きます
When spring comes, cherry blossoms bloom.
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このボタンを押すとドアが開きます
If you press this button, the door opens.
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夜になるとこの道は静かになります
When night falls, this street becomes quiet.
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この町は冬になると風がとても冷たくなります
When winter comes, the wind in this town gets very cold.
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その猫は魚のにおいをかぐとすぐ台所に来ます
When that cat smells fish, it comes to the kitchen right away.
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このアプリを開くと前回の続きから勉強できます
When you open this app, you can continue studying from where you left off.
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右に曲がると駅があります
When you turn right, there is a station.
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氷を温めると水になります
When ice is heated, it turns into water.
12 more examples
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辛い物を食べると水が飲みたくなります
When I eat spicy food, I want to drink water.
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よく寝ないと次の日疲れます
If you do not sleep well, you feel tired the next day.
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雨が降ると道が濡れます
When it rains, the road gets wet.
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毎朝コーヒーを飲まないと目が覚めません
If I do not drink coffee in the morning, I cannot wake up.
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部屋に入るとテーブルの上に手紙がありました
When I entered the room, there was a letter on the table.
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お酒を飲むと顔が赤くなります
When I drink alcohol, my face turns red.
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長い時間歩くと足が疲れます
When you walk for a long time, your legs get tired.
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早く寝ると朝起きやすいです
When you go to bed early, it is easier to get up in the morning.
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このバスに乗り遅れると学校に遅れます
When you miss this bus, you will be late for school.
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窓を開けると冷たい風が入ります
When you open the window, cold air comes in.
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暗くなると星が見えます
When it gets dark, the stars become visible.
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二に三を足すと五になります
If you add three to two, you get five.
Important notes
- と commonly describes regular consequences, instructions and discoveries.
Common mistakes
- A request or intention as a freely chosen consequence normally calls for たら or なら instead.
Check yourself
Pick the translation of each sentence. The wrong options translate similar patterns, so watch the grammar rather than the words.
Similar grammar
Hear it in podcasts
The pattern appears in these episodes. They open in the app with the transcript and translation.
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