ISORI

〜場合(ばあい)

JLPT N4:

in case of / if

Describes what to do, or what happens, in a certain situation: "in case of…", "if…".

How to form it

  • Verbs and い-adjectives use the plain form: 分(わ)からない場合(ばあい), 遅(おく)れた場合(ばあい).
  • Nouns take の and な-adjectives take な: 雨(あめ)の場合(ばあい), 必要(ひつよう)な場合(ばあい).
  • 場合(ばあい)は is common in instructions and rules: 雨(あめ)の場合(ばあい)は中止(ちゅうし)です.

Examples

雨(あめ)の場合(ばあい)、試合(しあい)は中止(ちゅうし)です。

If it rains, the match will be cancelled.

分(わ)からない場合(ばあい)は、質問(しつもん)してください。

If you don't understand, please ask.

Notes

  • It is typical of notices, instructions and business speech. It describes a situation that might arise, so it is not used for one particular past event.

Similar meaning