Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 6: 1/16

場合(ばあい)はIn the event of, In the case of

Structure

Verb + 場合(ばあい)(は)
［い］Adjective + 場合(ばあい)(は)
［な］Adjective + な + 場合(ばあい)(は)
Noun + の + 場合(ばあい)(は)

Details

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About ばあいは

場合(ばあい)は is a phrase in Japanese that is often translated to 'in the event of (A)', or 'in the case of (A)'. It can be used with almost any type of word, but will require な when following a な-Adjective, or の when following a noun.

場合(ばあい) by itself is usually translated as 'case', or 'situation'. It is frequently used to highlight a hypothetical situation, or a viewpoint/characteristic of another person.

When 場合(ばあい)は is highlighting a viewpoint/characteristic of another person, this is almost always in contrast/comparison to something that is already being discussed. This is an example of the contrastive nuance of the は particle.

Caution

In relation to a situation, because 場合(ばあい) means 'to encounter (A)', it has a nuance of randomness. Due to this, 場合(ばあい)は will not be used to describe events that regularly occur, or events that can be planned/controlled.

  • 学校(がっこう)に行(い)く場合(ばあい)は早(はや)く起(お)きます。
    If I were to go to school, I would wake up early. (Unnatural Japanese, unless going to school is an unusual thing for this person)
  • 学校(がっこう)に行(い)くときは早(はや)く起(お)きます。
    When I go to school, I wake up early. (Natural Japanese, if going to school is a regular thing for this person)
  • あしたのパーティーに来(く)る場合(ばあい)はビールを持(も)って来(き)てください。
    In the event that you will come to tomorrow's party, please bring some beer. (Focuses on the possibility of coming)
  • あしたのパーティーに来(く)るときにビールを持(も)って来(き)てください。
    When you come to the party, bring some beer with you. (Focuses on the request)

Examples

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    危険(きけん)な場合(ばあい)はここに電話(でんわ)をしてください。

    In the event that it is dangerous, please call me.

    私(わたし)の犬(いぬ)の場合(ばあい)は家族(かぞく)と一緒(いっしょ)です。

    In the case of my dog, he is like family.

    遊(あそ)んでいる場合(ばあい)は、危(あぶ)ないことをしないで。

    In the case that you are playing, don't do anything dangerous.

    この商品(しょうひん)が売(う)り切(き)れの場合(ばあい)は買(か)えないよ。

    You cannot buy this product in the event that it is out of stock.

    山(やま)が崩(くず)れている場合(ばあい)は運転(うんてん)をしないでください。

    In the event of the mountain crumbling, please do not drive. (In the event of a landslide)

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      ばあいは – Grammar Discussion

      Most Recent Replies (11 in total)

      • Pep95

        Pep95

        image.png901×283 20.2 KB

      • Kamikazen

        Kamikazen

        I got the same response and had no idea what it meant. Even after reading this thread… it took me a while (and a incorrect answer) to figure it out. Haha

      • Bidjou34

        Bidjou34

        Hello,

        I am wondering what is the difference between using ばあいは and には to say “as for…”.

        わたしの犬いぬのばあいはかぞくといっしょです
        and
        わたしの犬いぬにはかぞくといっしょです

        Look like they have the same meaning to me.
        What do you think?

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