if, when, whenever (natural result)

Plain non-past form plus と expresses a natural, automatic result: whenever A happens, B always follows. It suits machines, directions, and natural phenomena. The clause after と cannot be a request, command, or invitation.

Examples

• このボタンを押おすと、ドアが開ひらきます。

  Kono botan o osu to, doa ga akimasu.

  If you press this button, the door opens.

• 春はるになると、桜さくらが咲さきます。

  Haru ni naru to, sakura ga sakimasu.

  When spring comes, the cherry blossoms bloom.

Vocabulary in these examples

• この this (+ noun)
• ボタン button
• 押す to push
• ドア door
• 開く to open (intransitive)
• 春 spring

Related patterns · Conditionals

• 〜ば if (hypothetical condition)
• 〜たら if, when, after
• 〜なら if that is the case, if you are talking about