Japanese word

もし

Pronunciation

Romajimoshi

Meaning

  • adverbif

Example

もし明日晴れたら、外で遊びます。mo shi asu ha re ta ra soto de aso bi ma su

If it is sunny tomorrow, I will play outside.

Illustration for もし (if)

More examples

もし時間があれば、宿題を終えてから本を読みます。mo shi ji kan ga a re ba shuku dai o o e te ka ra hon o yo mi ma su

If I have time, I will read a book after finishing my homework.

Core concept

It introduces a possible condition or calls for another person's attention, depending on the context.

Common phrases

  • もし雨が降ったらmo shi ame ga fu tta ra

    if it rains

  • もし遅れたらmo shi oku re ta ra

    if you are late

  • もし困ったらmo shi koma tta ra

    if you have trouble

  • もしよければmo shi yo ke re ba

    if you like

Similar words

仮にkarini: Introduces an assumed condition for considering a possible situation.
万一manichi: Introduces an unlikely condition that could lead to an unexpected result.
たとえtatoe: Introduces a condition whose result does not change the main conclusion.

Definition in Japanese

事実かどうか未定の条件を仮に設定し、その場合の事柄を述べる語。ji jitsu ka dō ka mi tei no jō ken o kari ni set tei shi so no ba ai no koto gara o no be ru go

Word origin

Conditional もし (moshi, "if") has no certain etymology. The interjection もし (moshi, "excuse me") derives from 申し (mōshi, "saying"), the continuative form of 申す (mōsu, "to say").

Usage tips

  • Unlike English if, もし (moshi) can be left out when the conditional meaning is already clear from the surrounding conversation.

Other meanings

  • excuse meinterjection

Word lists with this word