Conditional 〜と: Natural, Automatic Results (Meaning + Examples)
What it means
The と conditional says that A always leads to B. When A happens, B follows naturally, automatically, every time — there's no choice or surprise about it. Think of it as cause and inevitable effect.
This is why と is the go-to pattern for laws of nature, machine behavior, repeated habits, and street directions. It's not "if, maybe" — it's "if A, then B, guaranteed."
春になると、桜が咲く。
はるに なると、さくらが さく。
When spring comes, the cherry blossoms bloom.
A law of nature — it happens every year, automatically.
このボタンを押すと、ドアが開く。
この ボタンを おすと、ドアが あく。
When you press this button, the door opens.
How a machine works — same input, same result.
ヤッタンは疲れると、すぐ寝る。
ヤッタンは つかれると、すぐ ねる。
When Yattan gets tired, he goes right to sleep.
A habit — it happens reliably.
How to form it
Just add と to the plain, non-past form of the word in clause A. Verbs use their dictionary form; adjectives and nouns connect as shown below.
| Word type | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb (dictionary form) | 押す + と | 押すと (when you press) |
| Verb (negative) | 押さない + と | 押さないと (if you don't press) |
| い-adjective | 高い + と | 高いと (if it's expensive) |
| な-adjective | 静か + だと | 静かだと (if it's quiet) |
| Noun | 春 + だと | 春だと (if it's spring) |
Note that と always attaches to the non-past form, even when the overall sentence is about the past or about something habitual. The verb before と never changes to past tense.
Directions and how things work
と shines for explaining a route or operating instructions, because each step produces a guaranteed next state:
この道をまっすぐ行くと、駅があります。
この みちを まっすぐ いくと、えきが あります。
If you go straight along this road, there's the station.
Classic directions — go straight and the station appears.
二つ目の角を右に曲がると、銀行が見えます。
ふたつめの かどを みぎに まがると、ぎんこうが みえます。
Turn right at the second corner and you'll see the bank.
Each step leads automatically to the next.
Habits and natural results
When something is simply true or always happens, と describes it cleanly:
モチはお酒を飲むと、顔が赤くなる。
モチは おさけを のむと、かおが あかく なる。
When Mochi drinks alcohol, his face turns red.
A reliable, automatic reaction.
二に三を足すと、五になる。
にに さんを たすと、ごに なる。
Two plus three is five.
Math — an absolute, unchanging result.
For "becomes," と pairs naturally with なる, as in 春になると ("when it becomes spring").
The big restriction: B can't be a request or plan
This is the rule that catches everyone. Because と describes an automatic result, clause B cannot be something the speaker chooses or asks for. So B must not be a request, command, invitation, or volitional ("let's / I'll") statement.
右に曲がると、まっすぐ行ってください。
みぎに まがると、まっすぐ いって ください。
(✗ Incorrect) Turn right and please go straight.
✗ ください is a request — と can't lead to one. Use 〜たら instead: 右に曲がったら、まっすぐ行ってください。
If your B clause ends in 〜てください, a command, 〜ましょう, or a "let's" idea, switch to 〜たら (or sometimes ば). Save と for results that just happen on their own.
Common mistakes
- Putting a request or invitation in clause B. ✗ 駅に着くと、電話してください。 Because B is a request, use たら: 駅に着いたら、電話してください ("when you arrive at the station, please call").
- Conjugating the verb before と. と always follows the non-past form: 食べると (✓), not 食べたと.
- Forgetting だ with nouns and な-adjectives. It's 学生だと and 暇だと, not 学生と (which would be the listing/quotation と).
- Confusing this と with the other と. This conditional と is different from the noun-listing/quotation と (パンとたまご = "bread and eggs"). Same character, totally different job.
Quick recap
- 〜と = plain non-past form + と → an automatic, inevitable result: "whenever A, B."
- Perfect for nature, machines, habits, math, and directions.
- Clause B cannot be a request, command, invitation, or volitional statement — use 〜たら for those.
- The verb before と stays non-past; nouns and な-adjectives need だ.
- Not the same as the listing/quotation と.
Your turn
Choose the correct use of the 〜と conditional (and spot where it's not allowed).
Start the 5-question drill →Take the full N4 〜と conditional drill →
Frequently asked questions
What does the 〜と conditional mean?
It marks an automatic, inevitable result: 'whenever/if A, then B (always).' For example このボタンを押すと、ドアが開く ('press this button and the door opens'). It suits nature, machines, habits, and directions.
Why can't I use と with ください?
Because と describes a result that happens on its own, clause B can't be something you ask for or decide. ✗ 右に曲がると、行ってください is wrong. Use 〜たら: 右に曲がったら、行ってください.
How is と different from たら, ば, and なら?
と is for the most automatic, repeatable results and can't take a request in B. たら is the flexible all-rounder, ば is more hypothetical, and なら responds to a topic. See the comparison at /compare/to-ba-tara-nara.
Is this the same と as in パンとたまご?
No. That と lists nouns ('bread and eggs') or quotes speech. The conditional と attaches to a plain non-past verb or clause and means 'when/if.' Same character, different grammar.