すると Japanese Grammar Lesson
Grammar Type: Conjunction
Essential Meaning: Then / After that / In that case
Construction: Sentence 1. すると Sentence 2.
Notes:
- すると means “Then“, “After that“, or “In that case“. It is a shortened form of そうすると and the two can be used interchangeably. With すると, Sentence 1 introduces some situation, and Sentence 2 presents a situation that occurs as a natural consequence of Sentence 1.
- E.g. ジョギングを始めました。すると、ご飯が美味しくなりました。[I went jogging. After that, I began to have a big appetite.] In this example, the speaker begins jogging (Sentence 1). He then becomes hungry as a natural consequence (Sentence 2).
- E.g. 頭が痛かったのでアスピリンを飲みました。すると痛みがすぐとまりました。[I had a headache, so I took some Aspirin. Then, my pain quickly stopped.] In this example, the speaker has a headache and takes some aspirin (Sentence 1). The pain then then subsides as a natural consequence (Sentence 2).
- The と in すると is the conjunction と (Natural Consequence), which conveys the idea that an event in Sentence 1 brings about some natural and uncontrollable event in Sentence 2. Thus, すると represents an event that is out of the direct control of the speaker / subject, and すると cannot be used with volitional sentences such as commands, requests, or invitations.
- E.g. *A: 今日は忙しいです。B:すると明日行きましょう。[A: I’m busy today. B: In that case, let’s go tomorrow.] An invitation can not be used with すると.
- E.g. *A: 今日は忙しい。B: すると明日きてください。[A: I’m busy today. B: In that case, please come tomorrow.] A request can not be used with すると.
- E.g. *A: あなたが来ないと困るんです。B: そうすると行きます。[A: If you don’t come, it will be a problem. B: In that case, I will go.] A statement of volition can not be used with すると.
- それでは can be used in place of すると in the above volitional examples.
- すると is closely related to それでは. The differences are:
- (1) それでは CAN be used with volitional sentences.
- (2) それでは requires that the speakers of Sentence 1 and Sentence 2 be different people.
- E.g. *ジョギングを始めました。それでは、ご飯が美味しくなりました。[I went jogging. After that, I began to have a big appetite.] This example is ungrammatical because それでは can only be used when responding to a second person. すると would be the appropriate choice in this case.
Example Sentences:
ジョギングを始めました。すると、ご飯が美味しくなりました。[I went jogging. After that, I began to have a big appetite.]
A: 今日は月曜日ですよ。B: するとあのデパートは休みですね。[A: Today is Monday. B: In that case, that department store is closed, isn’t it?]
私は自転車を買いました。すると弟も欲しがりました。[I bought a bicycle. After that, my little brother appeared to want one too.]
頭が痛かったのでアスピリンを飲みました。すると痛みがすぐとまりました。[I head a headache, so I took some Aspirin. Then, my pain quickly stopped.]
A: 息子は今高校三年です。B: すると、来年は大学受験ですね。[A: My son is a 3rd year high school student. B: In that case, he has university entrance exams next year, doesn’t he?]
WILD Examples:
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