と vs ば vs たら vs なら: Japanese Conditionals Compared
The big picture
All four can translate as "if" or "when," which is why they blur together. The differences are about how certain/automatic the result is and what kind of condition you're setting. Here's the map:
| Form | Core idea | Example |
|---|---|---|
| と | Automatic, natural consequence — 'whenever X, Y always happens' | 春になると、花が咲く (When spring comes, flowers bloom) |
| ば | General or hypothetical 'if'; often conditions/proverbs | 勉強すれば、合格できる (If you study, you can pass) |
| たら | All-purpose 'if/when'; one specific case, then… | 家に帰ったら、電話して (When you get home, call me) |
| なら | 'If it's the case that…' — responds to context/topic | 日本に行くなら、京都がいい (If you're going to Japan, Kyoto's good) |
と — the automatic result
と says: whenever the first thing happens, the second naturally/always follows. Think machines, nature, directions, habits. The result can't be a command or request.
このボタンを押すと、電気がつく。
この ボタンを おすと、でんきが つく。
When you press this button, the light comes on.
A guaranteed, automatic result.
右に曲がると、郵便局があります。
みぎに まがると、ゆうびんきょくが あります。
If you turn right, there's a post office.
Directions — a reliable consequence.
Rule: you can't put a request, command, or invitation after と. "押すと、教えてください" is wrong — use たら there.
ば — the general "if"
ば is the classic hypothetical "if," common in general truths, proverbs, and conditions where you focus on what's needed for a result.
もっと勉強すれば、合格できる。
もっと べんきょう すれば、ごうかく できる。
If you study more, you can pass.
この道をまっすぐ行けば、駅があります。
この みちを まっすぐ いけば、えきが あります。
If you go straight, there's a station.
ば has restrictions on what follows (especially with action verbs), which is part of why learners often default to たら in conversation.
たら — the all-purpose one
たら is the most flexible and the safest in everyday speech. It covers "if" (hypothetical) and "when" (after one specific thing happens), and — crucially — it allows requests and commands after it.
家に帰ったら、すぐ電話してください。
いえに かえったら、すぐ でんわ して ください。
When you get home, please call me right away.
Request after the condition — only たら/なら allow this freely.
もし雨が降ったら、試合は中止です。
もし あめが ふったら、しあいは ちゅうし です。
If it rains, the match is cancelled.
もし often pairs with たら for 'if'.
If you're unsure which conditional to use when speaking, たら is usually safe.
なら — "if it's the case that…"
なら responds to something already in the air — a topic, an assumption, or what someone just said. A good translation is "if you're talking about / if it's true that…"
日本に行くなら、京都に行ったほうがいいよ。
にほんに いくなら、きょうとに いった ほうが いいよ。
If you're going to Japan, you should go to Kyoto.
Responds to 'I'm going to Japan' — advice based on that premise.
漢字が分からないなら、辞書を使ってください。
かんじが わからないなら、じしょを つかって ください。
If you don't understand the kanji, use a dictionary.
A subtle point: なら can flip the time order — the なら-clause can happen after the main clause (日本に行くなら… = "before you go, [do this]").
Quick decision guide
- Automatic/always-true result, no request after? → と
- General 'if', condition for a result, proverb? → ば
- One specific case, or you need a request/command after? → たら
- Responding to a topic or assumption ('if that's the case')? → なら
Common mistakes
- Putting a request after と. 帰ると電話して (✗) → 帰ったら電話して (✓).
- Overusing と for one-off 'if'. と is for reliable, repeatable results, not single hypotheticals.
- Using たら where なら fits better. Reacting to what someone said ("if you're going…") is なら territory.
Quick recap
- と = automatic, always-true result (no requests after).
- ば = general/hypothetical "if".
- たら = all-purpose "if/when"; allows requests — safest in speech.
- なら = "if it's the case that…", responds to context.
Your turn
Choose と, ば, たら, or なら for each sentence.
Start the 6-question drill →Frequently asked questions
Which Japanese conditional is safest to use?
たら. It's the most flexible — it covers both 'if' and 'when,' works for one-off situations, and (unlike と and often ば) allows requests and commands after it.
What's the main difference between と and たら?
と is for automatic, always-true results (press the button → the light comes on) and can't be followed by a request. たら handles specific one-time cases and allows requests/commands after it.
When do I use なら?
When you're responding to context or an assumption — 'if it's the case that…'. 日本に行くなら… ('if you're going to Japan…') reacts to the idea that you're going.
Is ば only for proverbs?
No, but it's common in general truths, proverbs, and 'what's needed for a result' conditions. In everyday specific situations, learners often use たら instead because ば has more restrictions.