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

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About もし

もし is an adverb used to emphasize the nuance of 'if', with expressions like と, ば, 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.

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)い 'young'). It is from this kanji that もし gets its meaning of 'while low in (probability, number, age, experience)'.

Examples

--:--

    もし雨(あめ)が降(ふ)ったら、車(くるま)で行(い)く。

    If it rains, I will go by car.

    もし辛(から)いものだったら、食(た)べられない。

    If it is spicy, I can't eat it.

    もしコーヒーを買(か)ってくれたら、嬉(うれ)しい。

    If you bought coffee for me, I would be happy.

    もしこのパソコンを彼女(かのじょ)にあげるなら、説明書(せつめいしょ)も渡(わた)してね。

    If you are going to give this computer to her, (make sure to) give her the manual too.

    もし君(きみ)が文法(ぶんぽう)を勉強(べんきょう)したら、日本語(にほんご)を喋(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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