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JLPT N4 · Conditionals (if / when)

場合（ばあい）は (baai wa)

～場合は — “in the case of ～ / if ～”

In short · 場合は describes a possible situation or case and says what to do or what happens in it: ‘in the case that ～’. It follows a noun-modifying clause (plain form; noun + の). It is common in rules, notices and instructions.
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Pattern

  • 動詞・い形容詞の普通形＋場合は plain form + 場合は (遅れる場合は)
  • 名詞＋の／な形容詞＋な＋場合は noun + の / na-adj + な + 場合は (火事の場合は)

Connection

Verbs and い-adjectives take the plain form (遅れる場合は, 忙しい場合は). Nouns take の (雨の場合は). な-adjectives take な (必要な場合は).

Meaning

場合 means ‘case, situation’. 場合は picks out one situation and gives the instruction for it: 遅れる場合は、連絡してください. It often describes an unwanted or special situation.

Compared with とき

とき is about a time; 場合 is about a possible case and may or may not actually happen. 場合 is good for rules and emergencies.

Examples

  • 火事（かじ）の場合（ばあい）は、この階段（かいだん）を使（つか）ってください。

    Kaji no baai wa, kono kaidan o tsukatte kudasai.

    In case of fire, please use these stairs.

    Noun + の + 場合は.

  • 遅（おく）れる場合（ばあい）は、必（かなら）ず連絡（れんらく）してください。

    Okureru baai wa, kanarazu renraku shite kudasai.

    If you are going to be late, please be sure to contact us.

    Plain form 遅れる + 場合は.

  • 雨（あめ）の場合（ばあい）は、試合（しあい）は中止（ちゅうし）です。

    Ame no baai wa, shiai wa chūshi desu.

    In the case of rain, the game is canceled.

    A typical announcement.

Common mistakes

  • Use の after a noun: 雨の場合は, not 雨場合は.
  • 場合は is for possible cases, not for a definite time. For a time, use とき.

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