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 場(ば)合(あい)は is used

The expression 場(ば)合(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.

How 場(ば)合(あい)は is formed

The expression 場(ば)合(あい)は is formed:

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

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

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

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

な Adjective: 必要な necessary, needed

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 場(ば)合(あい)

場(ば)合(あい) is a noun and can be followed by various particles.

• 場(ば)合(あい)に in the case that
• 場(ば)合(あい)によっては depending on the situation, in some circumstances
• 場(ば)合(あい)の when it is followed by a noun

KanjiNo FuriganaKanaRomaji

お会(かい)計(けい)でクレジットカードが使(つか)えない場(ば)合(あい)の対(たい)処(しょ)法(ほう)

What to do if your credit card is not accepted at the checkout

KanjiNo FuriganaKanaRomaji

雨(あめ)の場(ば)合(あい)には試(し)合(あい)中(ちゅう)止(し)です。

In case of rain, the match will be cancelled.

KanjiNo FuriganaKanaRomaji

この薬(やく)品(ひん)は場(ば)合(あい)によって毒(どく)にも薬(くすり)にもなる。

This drug can be poison or medicine depending on the situation.

KanjiNo FuriganaKanaRomaji

場(ば)合(あい)によってはタバコは単(たん)にタバコですよ。

In some cases, cigarettes are simply cigarettes.

Noun + の + 場(ば)合(あい) + に

KanjiNo FuriganaKanaRomaji

この法(ほう)律(りつ)はすべての場(ば)合(あい)に当(あ)てはまる。

This law applies in all cases.

Examples of 場(ば)合(あい)は

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