How to use ~と (~to): A Streetwise JLPT N4 Grammar Guide

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雨あめだと、取引とりひきは中止ちゅうしだ。
If it’s rain, the deal is canceled.

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Read the explanation below to understand the nuance of how this grammar structure is used.

Aight, listen up, fam. We’re breaking down the ~と particle today.

This ain’t your regular “if” like ~たら. ~と is for shit that’s automatic. It’s the street rule of grammar. When A happens, B always happens right after, no questions asked. It’s a natural consequence.

Think of it like this: You disrespect the Don (A), you gettin’ whacked (B). It’s not “if you disrespect him, maybe you’ll get whacked.” Nah. It’s a straight-up guarantee. It’s cause and effect. You push the button (~と), the vault opens. You talk to the feds (~と), you sleep with the fishes. It’s that “f*ck around and find out” energy.

Think of ~と as a tripwire in a safe house. When you step on the wire (A), the alarm automatically goes off (B).

You can’t step on the wire and then decide if the alarm should ring. You can’t say, “Ayo, alarm, please ring.” Nah. The second your foot hits that wire, it’s screaming. That’s ~と. It’s an automatic, guaranteed result. You step (A) ~と, it rings (B).


Grammar Conjugation Guide.

Read the table below then use it to conjugate some words you know.

Here’s the breakdown on how to build this joint.

Part of SpeechHow to ConnectExampleEnglish
VerbDictionary Form + …と…押おすと…If/When (you) push…
i-AdjectiveDictionary Form + …と…安やすいと…If/When (it) is cheap…
na-AdjectiveDictionary Form (だ) + …と…静しずかだと…If/When (it) is quiet…
NounDictionary Form (だ) + …と…雨あめだと…If/When (it) is rain…

Basically, you stick …と right after the dictionary form (plain form) of whatever you’re talkin’ ’bout. Why dictionary form? ‘Cause …と is about facts, general rules, and shit that always happens. You ain’t messin’ with …て-form or past tense. For your na-adjectives and nouns, you just need that だ at the end (or です desu if you’re tryin’ to be polite to the judge) before you add the …と. It’s easy money


Example sentences with audio.

Listen to and repeat the sentences below.

このボタンを押おすと、金庫きんこが開あく。
When you push this button, the safe opens.

お酒さけを飲のみすぎると、秘密ひみつを話はなしてしまう。
If you drink too much (booze), you end up spilling secrets.

お金かねを払はらわないと、トラブルになる。
If you don’t pay the money, it becomes trouble.

お金かねがたくさんあると、狙ねらわれる。
When you have a lot of money, you get targeted.

あの男おとこは、口くちを開ひらくとうそを言いう。
When that man opens his mouth, lies come out.

毎日まいにち練習れんしゅうしないと、日本語にほんごがヘタになる。
If you don’t practice every day, your Japanese will get worse.

この鍵かぎを使つかうと、秘密ひみつの部屋へやに入いれる。
If you use this key, you can enter the secret room.

仲間なかまがいないと、この仕事しごとは無理むりだ。
If you don’t have a crew (friends), this job is impossible.

裏切うらぎると、大変たいへんなことになる。
If you betray (us), terrible things will happen.

アラームが鳴なると、俺おれたちは逃にげる。
When the alarm rings, we bounce.

バッジをつけないと、アジトに入いれない。
If you don’t wear the pin, you can’t enter the hideout.


Keep grinding. Peace.

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