【JLPT N4 Grammar】〜と(~to)

Explanation:〜と

Meaning
"Whenever A happens, B happens too."

Used to indicate a natural or automatic result that follows when a certain condition is met. It’s commonly used to describe what happens as a consequence or result of a particular action.

Form
V(dictionary form)+ と + + Result: Describes what happens when a certain condition is met.

Points

  1. Cause and Effect: 〜と shows that when a specific action or condition occurs, it leads to a certain outcome, often naturally or automatically.
  2. Non-Intentional Results: The outcome that follows 〜と is usually not something directly controlled by the speaker. Rather, it describes something that will happen naturally or is a fixed fact.
  3. Present Tense for Certainty: This structure is commonly used in the present tense, making it suitable for general truths, fixed sequences, and predictable outcomes.

JLPT Level
N4

Notes

  1. Automatic or Predictable Results: 〜と is often used to express a result that is expected to happen each time, making it perfect for describing instructions, routines, or general facts.
  2. Involuntary Outcomes: Unlike some other conditional forms, 〜と does not allow for intentional actions or requests in the result clause (like using 〜ましょう or 〜たい).
  3. Fixed Sequence: This structure is often found in guides, instructions, or to explain the function of mechanisms or devices.



Sample sentenes

このボタンを  チケットが ます。
If you press this button, the ticket will come out.

このボタンを 押す ドアが きますよ。
If you press this button, the door will open.

なかに はい 電気でんきが つきます。
If you enter here, the light will turn on.

これを みぎに まわす おとが おおきくなります。
If you turn this to the right, the sound will be louder.

まっすぐ  病院びょういんがあります。
If you go straight, you will see a hospital.

かれと はな 元気げんきになります。
Whenever I talk with him, I feel uplifted.

Vocabulary

Japanese English
おす to press / to push
でる to come out
あく (something) opens
でんき light
みぎ right
まわる to turn
おと sound
はなす to talk

Comparison with Related Expressions

〜たら: 〜たら can be used more flexibly for hypothetical or future conditions, and it allows more varied outcomes, including intentional actions and requests.

〜ば: While also conditional, 〜ば has a less certain implication than 〜と and may imply a more optional or less automatic consequence.

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