となると / となれば means when it comes to; in such a case; if that happens. It is a JLPT N1 Japanese grammar pattern used to express that once a certain condition is met or a threshold is reached, a particular, often logical, consequence or reaction follows.
This grammar point often appears in news articles, formal discussions, editorials, and JLPT N1 reading passages. If you want to link a hypothetical situation to its natural outcome or response, となると / となれば is a precise tool that sharpens your advanced Japanese.
What does となると / となれば mean?
Use となると / となれば when you want to say “if it comes to that” or “when it comes to X”. It signals that the speaker is presenting a condition (often a new piece of information or a hypothetical scenario) and then drawing a conclusion or describing a natural reaction.
Natural translations include:
- when it comes to; in such a case; if that happens; once that’s the case
The two forms are largely interchangeable; となれば can feel slightly more literary or emphatic, while となると is extremely common in everyday formal contexts.
How to form となると / となれば
casual form + となると
となれば
となれば
なれば
Examples of the pattern:
- 雨が降るとなると、中止だ。
- 東京となると、家賃が高くなる。
- 静かだとなると、図書館みたいだ。
The form before the grammar point matters. In JLPT questions, the wrong answer choices often use a similar meaning but attach it to the wrong type of word — for example, a て-form before となると.
When is となると / となれば used?
Use となると / となれば in situations like:
- presenting a hypothetical condition and its natural consequence
- reacting to a newly mentioned fact or assumption
- showing that once a certain threshold is crossed, something else inevitably holds true
Tone and register:
- slightly formal, often used in written Japanese, news commentary, and business discussions
- Common in JLPT N1 reading comprehension and grammar sections
となると / となれば example sentences
After reading each sentence, ask what job となると / となれば is doing: it highlights a condition and then tells you what logically or naturally follows. That makes the nuance easier to remember than a one-word translation.
Nuance of となると / となれば
The key nuance is a threshold is crossed, and a reaction or consequence naturally unfolds.
This matters because learners often think of となると as a simple “if”, but it carries a stronger sense of inevitability or “now that we’re talking about this case”. It often implies that until this point, the situation was neutral, but once the topic shifts to X, then Y becomes the unavoidable truth.
For example, if someone says 「海外に住むとなると、ビザが必要だ」, the nuance is “Once it’s a matter of living abroad (as opposed to just visiting), a visa becomes necessary.” It’s not just a random conditional; it’s the logical switch that flips when the condition is activated.
となると / となれば vs となったら
Both となると / となれば and となったら can express a conditional consequence, but they differ in register and emphasis.
Quick contrast:
- 一人暮らしとなると、貯金が減る。（formal observation）
- 一人暮らしとなったら、寂しくなるかな。（casual worry）
If both translations seem possible, check the tone. となると / となれば fits situations where you are stating a general truth or a logical result; となったら leans toward personal speculation or a softer “if it turns out that way”.
Common mistakes with となると / となれば
Is となると / となれば on the JLPT?
- Frequently appears in N1 reading comprehension and grammar sections.
- Expect questions that test your ability to identify the correct conditional expression in a formal paragraph.
- Often contrasted with とすれば／としたら in multiple-choice items — the formal, threshold nuance is key.
For test preparation, study the grammar point in full sentences. JLPT questions often test whether you understand the surrounding context, not just the dictionary meaning.
Practice questions for となると / となれば
Keep your first sentences simple. Once the structure feels natural, add more context so the nuance becomes clear.
Learning path for となると / となれば
To learn となると / となれば efficiently, start with its formation, then compare it with similar patterns, and finally practice in context.
Related grammar to review next
- と相まって — because it also deals with conditions combining to produce a result
- とあれば — because it similarly sets up a conditional premise (“if it’s the case that…”)
- とあって — because it too marks a reason/condition leading to a natural outcome
- とばかりに — because it shares the conditional と particle and a sense of “as if to say / just because”
Learn となると / となれば with Hane
If you want to review となると / となれば together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.
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FAQ about となると / となれば
What does となると / となれば mean in Japanese?
となると / となれば means “when it comes to; in such a case; if that happens” in Japanese. It is an N1 grammar point, and this lesson explains its formation, nuance, example sentences, common mistakes, and similar grammar.
Is となると / となれば on the JLPT?
となると / となれば is taught as N1 Japanese grammar in Hane's grammar lesson archive. Review it with examples, usage notes, and related N1 patterns.
How should I practice となると / となれば?
Read several example sentences, identify the form before and after となると / となれば, then make your own short sentences and compare it with nearby grammar points.