〜と
JLPT N4:whenever / if (always)
"Whenever X, Y" or "if X, then Y": the result follows naturally or automatically every time.
How to form it
- Put the verb or い-adjective in the plain non-past and add と: 押すと, 寒いと. Nouns and な-adjectives add だと: 雨だと.
- The と part stays non-past even when the sentence is about the past.
- The second half cannot be a request, suggestion, invitation or your own intention.
Examples
春になると、桜が咲きます。
When spring comes, the cherry blossoms bloom.
このボタンを押すと、ドアが開きます。
If you press this button, the door opens.
Notes
- It is common in directions: まっすぐ行くと、右に銀行があります (go straight on and there's a bank on the right).
- With a past result, it describes what happened right after, often a discovery: 外に出ると、雨が降っていた (when I went outside, it was raining).
Common mistakes
- Putting a request after と. Say 駅に着いたら、電話してください, not 着くと.
Similar meaning
- 〜ばif
"If" with the focus on the condition; also works for advice.
- 〜たらif / when
"If" or "once" for a particular event; works before requests.
- 〜ならif (that's the case)
"If that's the case" — picks up something already said or known.