JLPT N3 Conditionals, wishes, and regrets
もしも～たら and とすれば・としたら set up hypotheticals, ばいい and といい・たらいい give advice or voice hopes, and ばよかった and ば～のに express regret about what did not happen. さえ～ば narrows the condition to one thing, while てからでないと and てはじめて mean "not until". Learners often use ばよかった for other people, where it can sound like blame.
10 N3 grammar points in this group
もしも〜たら (moshimo tara): if; supposing
Use もしも〜たら when you want to present a hypothetical condition, often with emotion or caution.
もしも雨が降ったら、試合は中止です。 — If it rains, the game will be canceled.
とすれば・としたら・とすると (to sureba): if; assuming that
Use とすれば・としたら・とすると when you want to state a conclusion or question based on an assumption.
もし彼の話が本当だとすれば、大きな問題です。 — If his story is true, it is a big problem.
ばいい (ba ii): should; can; it'd be good if
Use ばいい when you want to give simple advice or explain the necessary condition to achieve something.
ここを右に曲がればいい。 — Just turn right here.
といい / たらいい (to ii tara ii): I hope; it would be nice if
Use といい / たらいい when you want to express a wish, hope, or suggestion depending on context.
明日晴れるといいですね。 — I hope it is sunny tomorrow.
ばよかった (ba yokatta): should have; would have been better if
Use ばよかった when you want to express regret about a past action or inaction.
あの映画を見ればよかった。 — I should have watched that movie.
ば～のに (ba noni): if only; would have; could have
Use ば～のに when you want to express strong regret or disappointment about a past condition that was not met.
少し早く出発すればよかったのに。 — If only we had left a little earlier.
さえ～ば (sae ba): if only; as long as
Use さえ～ば when you want to state the one necessary condition for a result.
お金さえあれば、何でも買えるわけではない。 — Even if you have money, it does not mean you can buy anything.
ないと (naito): must; unless you do
Use ないと when you want to state necessity or a negative consequence if not done.
早く寝ないと、明日起きられないよ。 — If you do not sleep early, you will not be able to wake up tomorrow.
てからでないと (te kara de nai to): not until after; unless first
Use てからでないと when you want to say that something cannot happen until another action is completed first.
予約してからでないと、入れません。 — You cannot enter unless you make a reservation first.
てはじめて (te hajimete): only after; not until
Use てはじめて when you want to say that something became true only after a certain experience.
日本に来てはじめて、敬語の大切さが分かった。 — Only after coming to Japan did I understand the importance of honorifics.
More JLPT N3 grammar groups
- Contrast and concession: even if, although (13)
- Cause, reason, and result (9)
- Purpose, intention, and effort (14)
- Obligation, advice, and no choice (15)
- Hearsay, conjecture, and appearance (15)
- Partial and strong negation (9)
- Time, timing, and gradual change (20)
- Relational phrases: about, for, through (19)
- Compound verbs and suffixes (20)
- Degree, comparison, and emphasis (20)
- Adding, listing, and connecting ideas (18)