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〜と (whenever)

when, whenever, if (then naturally)

Verb dictionary form / ない form + と

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Dictionary form + と says that B follows A naturally, every time: このボタンを押すとお湯が出ます, "press this button and hot water comes out".

It's for things that always happen: how machines work, laws of nature, habits and directions. 春になると桜が咲く, "when spring comes, the cherry blossoms bloom"; まっすぐ行くと銀行があります, "go straight on and there's a bank".

The limit: the result can't be a request, an invitation or an intention. 駅に着くと電話してください is wrong; use たら.

In the past, と describes what happened next, often a surprise: 窓を開けると富士山が見えた, "when I opened the window, there was Mount Fuji".

Examples

  • このボタンを押おすと、お湯ゆが出でます。

    Press this button and hot water comes out.

  • 春はるになると、桜さくらが咲さきます。

    When spring comes, the cherry blossoms bloom.

  • まっすぐ行いくと、右みぎに銀行ぎんこうがあります。

    Go straight on and you'll see a bank on the right.

  • 私わたしはコーヒーを飲のむと、眠ねむれなくなります。

    Whenever I drink coffee, I can't sleep.

  • 窓まどを開あけると、富士山ふじさんが見みえました。

    When I opened the window, there was Mount Fuji.

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