ばあいは (baai wa) Meaning Japanese Grammar - In the Event of

Author Anna Baffa Volpe for article 'ばあいは (baai wa) Meaning Japanese Grammar - In the Event of'

Anna Baffa Volpe

4 min reading time

Updated on 26 February 2023

ばあいは (baai wa) Meaning Japanese Grammar - In the Event of

The expression ばあいは (baai wa) means if, in the event of, in the case of, in some cases.

It is used in the hypothetical sentence introduced by the conjunction if.

In this post we learn more about the meaning of ばあいは, how it is formed and when ばあいは is used through real example sentences.


How ad when ()(あい)は is used

The expression ()(あい)は is used in the context of the hypothetical, of the conditional, of the if, of the possibility that.

It cannot be used for what has actually happened, but only to express a hypothesis that needs to be verified.

If A occurs or does not occur, ⇨ then B.

()()ない()(あい)()ってね。

Tell me if you can't do it!

How ()(あい)は is formed

The expression ()(あい)は is formed:

  • by the noun ()(あい) meaning situation, condition, case
  • followed by the particle は

()(あい)は is preceded by verbs, nouns and adjectives.

Plain Form of the Verb+()(あい)+Phrase

Example with the Verb Ichidan (おく)れる be late, be delayed

(がっ)(こう)(おく)れる()(あい)は、(れん)(らく)しなければいけません。

If you are late for school, you must contact the school.

Noun+()(あい)+Phrase

The noun 風邪(かぜ) means cold, flu and has the same pronunciation as (かぜ) which means wind.

風邪(かぜ)()(あい)は、(やす)んでもいいですか。

Can I take a day off if I have a cold?

い Adjective+()(あい)+Phrase

()(ちん)(たか)()(あい)は」

If the rent is high...

な Adjective+()(あい)+Phrase

な Adjective: 必要な necessary, needed

(ひつ)(よう)()(あい)にはお(でん)()ください。

Please call me if you need.

(へん)(こう)したい()(あい)は、このボタンをクリックしてください。

If you want to change it, please click this button.

The verb can be conjugated in various moods and forms; in the previous sentence, the suffix たい is used, which translates the verb want, desire.

Grammatical particles following ()(あい)

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Examples of ()(あい)

もし()()()(あい)(ちゅう)(もん)をキャンセルします。

If it is not possible, I will cancel the order.

We find in the sentence the adverb もし if which emphasises the condition expressed by ()(あい)は.

()()()(あい)は119に(でん)()しなさい。

In case of fire, call 119.

(さん)()できない()(あい)には、(へん)(しん)をください。

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