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.

Related

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 (12 in total)

  • 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?

  • Zutari

    Zutari

    Many of the entries have a fun fact or caution. I have been confused several times in conversations hearing it as ばわい or ばやい. Since the point of learning Japanese is to be able to communicate and participate in Japanese conversation, I think it’s worth mentioning on the page. @mrnoone What do you think?

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