If/ja

From Fresh Dictionary

If can be translated into Japanese in the following ways:

1. なら(ば) nara(ba)
   • Usage: noun + なら nara; quasi-adjective + なら nara; adjective + なら nara; verb (infinitive) + なら nara
   • Notes: Assertive form of if, assumes the first phrase is true. May also be rendered "since".
   • Examples
     1. スーパーヘ行くなら魚を買って来てくれ

     Suupaa e iku nara sakana o katte kite kure.

     If (since) you are going to the supermarket, pick up some fish.

     In this example, there is no question as to whether or not the addressee is going to the supermarket, it is assumed that he or she is.

2. -たら(ば) -tara(ba)
   • Usage: noun + だったら dattara; quasi-adjective + だったら dattara; adjective stem + かったら kattara; verb (perfective, -た -ta) + ら ra
3. -ば -ba
   • Usage: adjective stem + ければ kereba; verb (conditional) + ば ba
4. -と -to
   • Usage: noun + だと da to; quasi-adjective + だと da to; adjective + と to; verb (infinitive) + と to
   • Notes: Natural form of if, used for natural consequences of actions.
   • Examples
     1. あの人にお金を貸すと戻って来ないよ
        

     Ano hito ni okane o kasu to modotte konai yo.

     If you lend money to that person, you won't get it back.

     In this example, the meaning is that the natural consequence of lending money to the person specified is that the money will be lost.