JLPT N4 · Time and reason

〜と

If A, then B always follows

Meaning

Used when the second result naturally and regularly follows the first action.

Formation

  1. Dictionary form or ない + と: 押すと
  2. Nouns and na-adjectives take だ: 春だと
  3. No request, order or invitation in the second clause

When to use it

Core use
If A, then B always follows

Examples

20 sentences
  • このボタンを押すおすとドアが開きひらきます

    If you press this button, the door opens.

  • 夜よるになるとこの道みちは静かしずかになります

    When night falls, this street becomes quiet.

  • この町まちは冬ふゆになると風かぜがとても冷たくつめたくなります

    When winter comes, the wind in this town gets very cold.

  • その猫ねこは魚さかなのにおいをかぐとすぐ台所だいどころに来きます

    When that cat smells fish, it comes to the kitchen right away.

  • このアプリを開くひらくと前回ぜんかいの続きつづきから勉強べんきょうできます

    When you open this app, you can continue studying from where you left off.

  • 右みぎに曲がるまがると駅えきがあります

    When you turn right, there is a station.

  • 氷こおりを温めるあたためると水みずになります

    When ice is heated, it turns into water.

12 more examples
  • 辛いからい物ものを食べるたべると水みずが飲みのみたくなります

    When I eat spicy food, I want to drink water.

  • よく寝ねないと次つぎの日ひ疲れつかれます

    If you do not sleep well, you feel tired the next day.

  • 雨あめが降るふると道みちが濡れぬれます

    When it rains, the road gets wet.

  • 毎朝まいあさコーヒーを飲まのまないと目めが覚めさめません

    If I do not drink coffee in the morning, I cannot wake up.

  • 部屋へやに入るはいるとテーブルの上うえに手紙てがみがありました

    When I entered the room, there was a letter on the table.

  • お酒おさけを飲むのむと顔かおが赤くあかくなります

    When I drink alcohol, my face turns red.

  • 長いながい時間じかん歩くあるくと足あしが疲れつかれます

    When you walk for a long time, your legs get tired.

  • 早くはやく寝るねると朝あさ起きおきやすいです

    When you go to bed early, it is easier to get up in the morning.

  • このバスに乗り遅れるのりおくれると学校がっこうに遅れおくれます

    When you miss this bus, you will be late for school.

  • 窓まどを開けるあけると冷たいつめたい風かぜが入りはいります

    When you open the window, cold air comes in.

  • 暗くくらくなると星ほしが見えみえます

    When it gets dark, the stars become visible.

  • 二にに三さんを足すたすと五ごになります

    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.

  1. Sentence 1: 辛いからい物ものを食べるたべると水みずが飲みのみたくなります

  2. Sentence 2: 長いながい時間じかん歩くあるくと足あしが疲れつかれます

  3. Sentence 3: 二にに三さんを足すたすと五ごになります

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