Grammar Info
N4 Lesson 8: 18/18

もし
If [for emphasis]

Structure
もし + Phrase[たら](1)

(1) Phrase[ば]Phrase[と]Phrase[ても]
Details
Register Standard
使用域 一般
Information
もし is an adverb used to emphasize the nuance of ‘if’, with expressions like , , なら, たら, and ても. Literally, the meaning of もし is close to ‘while slight’, or ‘while small’.
To use もし, simply add it to the beginning of any phrase that uses one of the conditional expressions listed above.
  • もし彼(かれ)動物(どうぶつ)に例(たと)え、猫(ねこ)に似(に)ています
    If we were to compare him to an animal, he resembles a cat. (Even if you only slightly compared him)
  • もし今日(きょう)来(こ)れば来(き)
    If you can come today, please do. (If, on the slight chance you can come)
  • もしまだ頭(あたま)痛(いた)なら、医者(いしゃ)に行(い)った方(ほう)がいい
    If your head still hurts, you should go to the doctors. (If, on the slight chance it does hurt)
  • もし買(か)い物(もの)に行(い)ったら、お菓子(かし)買(か)って来(き)
    If you go shopping, can you buy some snacks? (If, on the slight chance you do go)
  • もし雨(あめ)降(ふ)っても遊園地(ゆうえんち)に行(い)きます
    Even if it rains, we will still go to the amusement park. (If, on the slight chance it does rain)
Fun Fact
もし is sometimes seen written as 若(も)し, a kanji which has the meaning of ‘low in (A)’, (also seen in the word 若(わか) ‘young’). It is from this kanji that もし gets its meaning of ‘while low in (probability, number, age, experience)’.
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もしこのパソコン彼女(かのじょ)あげるなら、説明書(せつめいしょ)渡(わた)してね
If you are going to give this computer to her, (make sure to) give her the manual too.
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もし君(きみ)文法(ぶんぽう)勉強(べんきょう)たら日本語(にほんご)喋(しゃべ)れるようになるでしょう
If you study grammar, you will become able to speak Japanese, right?
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もしコーヒー買(か)ってくれたら嬉(うれ)しい
If you bought coffee for me, I would be happy.
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Books
みんなの日本語 I
Page 159 [CH 25]
Tae Kim's Japanese Grammar Guide
Page 139