“〜baai wa”: In the Case of … [JLPT N3]
Content by NTJ Kuma · Nihongo to Japan editorial team · Updated July 27, 2026
「キャンセルの場合は3日前までに」 — set up a specific case, then state what to do.
「キャンセルの場合は」 — 「場合」, in the case of…, if…
「キャンセルの場合は、3日前までにご連絡ください」 (in case of cancellation, please contact us at least 3 days ahead) — 「(noun の／verb plain form) ＋ 場合(は)」 means “in the case of ~, if ~,” setting up a specific condition or hypothetical situation, with what to do or what happens in that case following. It's fairly formal, common in rules, instructions, and notices. This guide covers 「場合」's attachment, that “setting up a situation” feel, and separates it from 「とき／なら／たら」.
Core: posit a specific situation, explain how it's handled
「〜場合は」 = “in the case of ~, in the event ~,” setting a condition/hypothetical, with a handling following:
- Rules/notices: 火災の場合は、階段を使ってください (in case of fire, use the stairs).
- A hypothetical: 都合が悪い場合は、連絡してください (if it's inconvenient, please let us know).
Feel: “in the case of…,” fairly formal and written — good for listing rules and procedures.
How to Connect
| Preceding | Attachment | Example |
|---|---|---|
| noun | noun ＋ の ＋ 場合 | 緊急の場合 |
| na-adjective | na-form ＋ な ＋ 場合 | 複雑な場合 |
| verb/i-adj | plain form ＋ 場合 | 遅れる場合 |
Examples in use
- キャンセルの場合は、3日前までにご連絡ください。(In case of cancellation, contact us 3 days ahead.) — a rule
- 緊急の場合は、すぐ119番に電話してください。(In an emergency, call 119 immediately.) — a notice
- 電車が遅れる場合は、駅員にお尋ねください。(If the train is delayed, ask a station attendant.) — a hypothetical
- 商品に不具合があった場合は、返品可能です。(If the product is defective, it can be returned.) — a condition
- 複雑な場合は、専門家に相談しよう。(If it's complicated, consult a specialist.) — na-adjective
⚠️ Easy traps to avoid
① Attachment: noun ＋ の, na-adj ＋ な. 緊急の場合 (✗ 緊急場合), 複雑な場合 (✗ 複雑場合). Nouns add 「の」, na-adjectives add 「な」 before 場合. Verbs/i-adjectives attach the plain form directly (遅れる場合, 忙しい場合).
② 「場合」 (a specific posited situation, formal) vs 「とき」 (a time/when, neutral/broad). 場合 = setting up a ‘specific condition, hypothetical situation' (mostly rules, suppositions) (キャンセルの場合 = in the event of cancellation); とき = simply a ‘point in time, when' (broader, more colloquial) (子供のとき = when I was a child, 暇なとき = when free). For “a rule, in the event ~” use 場合; for “(a certain) time” use とき.
③ Written, formal tone. 「場合」 is more formal and written than 「とき／なら／たら」, common in rules, contracts, notices, manuals (〜の場合は〜してください). Casual chat “if…” mostly uses 「たら／なら」; formal rules use 「場合」.
🔄 Compare: 場合／とき／なら／たら
| Form | Nuance | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 〜場合は | in the case of… (a set condition, formal) | 緊急の場合は |
| 〜とき | when… (a point in time, neutral) | 子供のとき |
| 〜なら | if it's… (picking up a topic hypothesis) | 君なら |
| 〜たら | if… (a general hypothesis, colloquial) | 雨が降ったら |
💡 An exam judgment tip
The core of 「場合」 is “setting up a specific condition or hypothetical situation, and explaining what to do in that case” — キャンセルの場合は (in the event of cancellation), 火災の場合は (in case of fire), 都合が悪い場合は (if it's inconvenient). Two points: ① attachment — noun ＋ の, na-adj ＋ な, verb/i-adj plain form (緊急の場合, 複雑な場合, 遅れる場合); ② fairly formal and written, common in rules, notices, contracts, manuals. Vs 「とき」: 場合 = setting a ‘specific condition, in the event' (rules, suppositions); とき = simply a ‘time' (neutral, colloquial). For a formal “in the case of ~, in the event ~,” 場合 is spot-on.
❓ Quick FAQ
Q: How do I tell 「場合」 from 「とき」?
By “setting a specific condition/hypothetical” vs “simply a point in time.” 「場合」 = positing a ‘specific condition, in-the-event situation' (mostly rules, suppositions; fairly formal): 地震の場合はエレベーターを使わないでください (in case of an earthquake, don't use the elevator — a rule), サイズが合わない場合は交換できます (if the size doesn't fit, it can be exchanged — a condition). 「とき」 = simply a ‘point in time, when' (broader, more colloquial; past/present/future): 子供のとき、よく遊んだ (when I was a child, I played a lot — a past point), 暇なときに電話して (call me when you're free — a time). So: “an (in-the-event) situation, a stipulated condition” → 場合 (formal); “(a certain) time, moment” → とき (neutral). Often the two are interchangeable (雨の場合／雨のとき), but 場合 fits a “rule or hypothetical specific situation” better and is more formal, while a “simple time” uses とき.
Q: How does 「場合」 attach? What do nouns and na-adjectives add?
By word type: ① noun ＋ の ＋ 場合: 緊急の場合 (in an emergency), 火事の場合 (in case of fire), 雨の場合 (if it rains) — insert 「の」 between the noun and 場合 (✗ 緊急場合). ② na-adjective ＋ な ＋ 場合: 複雑な場合 (if complicated), 必要な場合 (if necessary) — na-adjectives add 「な」 (✗ 複雑場合). ③ verb・i-adjective ＋ plain form ＋ 場合: 遅れる場合 (if you'll be late), 行かない場合 (if you won't go), 忙しい場合 (if busy) — verbs and i-adjectives attach the plain form directly. Mnemonic: noun adds の, na-adj adds な, verb/i-adj attaches directly (plain form).
🖊️ Practice Quiz
Q1. 「キャンセルの___は、3日前までにご連絡ください。」(in case of cancellation) Which is correct?
(A) 場合 (B) ところ (C) もの (D) こと
Q2. 「緊急___場合は、すぐ119番に電話してください。」(emergency; noun ＋ 場合) Fill the blank.
(A) な (B) の (C) だ (D) を
Q3. 「電車が遅れる___は、駅員にお尋ねください。」(if the train is delayed) Which is correct?
(A) 場合 (B) ばかり (C) うち (D) まま
Q4. 「複雑___場合は、専門家に相談しよう。」(in complex cases; な-adjective ＋ 場合) Fill the blank.
(A) の (B) だ (C) な (D) で
Q5. What's the difference between 「場合」 and 「とき」?
(A) exactly the same
(B) 「場合」 is more like setting a specific condition/hypothetical (more formal)
(C) 「とき」 is more formal
(D) 「場合」 only attaches to nouns
Answer Key
1. (A) 場合 ── キャンセルの場合は = in case of cancellation; noun ＋ の ＋ 場合, setting a specific condition.
2. (B) の ── a noun ＋ の ＋ 場合: 緊急の場合 (✗ 緊急場合).
3. (A) 場合 ── verb dict. form ＋ 場合: 遅れる場合.
4. (C) な ── a な-adjective ＋ な ＋ 場合: 複雑な場合.
5. (B) ── 場合 is more like setting a specific condition/hypothetical (more formal); とき is the broader ‘when.'