Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
If; Suppose; If by any chance
🎯 Primary Function
To emphasize the conditional aspect of a sentence, often highlighting that the situation is hypothetical, unlikely, or imaginary.
📋 Grammar Structure
もしも + Verb (た-form) + ら / Verb (辞書形) + なら
もしも + い-adj (〜かった) + ら / なら
もしも + な-adj + だった + ら / なら
もしも + ない-form (〜かった) + ら
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Used in formal settings to discuss emergency contingencies or unlikely scenarios.
Informal Situations
Very common in casual conversation when daydreaming or speculating about “what if” scenarios.
Written Language
Common in song lyrics, poetry, and narrative storytelling to create a dramatic tone.
Spoken Language
Frequently used to add emphasis to an ‘if’ statement.
💡 Common Applications
Expressing Dreams or Fantasies
Used to emphasize the hypothetical nature of a dream or unlikely situation.
Example: もしも私が金持ちだったら… (If I were rich…)
Expressing Worries about Rare Events
Used to discuss low-probability but significant events or precautions.
Example: もしも事故が起きたら… (If an accident were to occur…)
Literary and Poetic Usage
Commonly used in song lyrics and literature to add emotional depth to a condition.
Example: もしも願いが叶うなら (If my wish were to come true)
Frequency
Common in daily conversation and literature when emphasizing hypothetical conditions.
Difficulty
JLPT N3
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Example Sentences
Example #1
もしも宝くじが当たったら、世界一周旅行に行きたいです。
Furigana: もしもたからくじがあたったら、せかいいっしゅうりょこうにいきたいです。
Romaji: Moshimo takarakuji ga atattara, sekai isshuu ryokou ni ikitai desu.
English: If I won the lottery, I would want to travel around the world.
Example #2
もしも明日世界が終わるとしたら、何を食べたいですか？
Furigana: もしもあしたせかいがおわるとしたら、なにをたべたいですか？
Romaji: Moshimo ashita sekai ga owaru to shitara, nani o tabetai desu ka?
English: If the world were to end tomorrow, what would you want to eat?
Example #3
もしも生まれ変われるなら、鳥になりたい。
Furigana: もしもうまれかわれるなら、とりになりたい。
Romaji: Moshimo umarekawareru nara, tori ni naritai.
English: If I could be reborn, I would want to be a bird.
Example #4
もしも彼が来なかったら、この計画は中止です。
Furigana: もしもかれがこなかったら、このけいかくはちゅうしです。
Romaji: Moshimo kare ga konakattara, kono keikaku wa chuushi desu.
English: Suppose he doesn’t come, this plan will be canceled.
Example #5
もしもお金がたくさんあったら、大きな家を買いたいです。
Furigana: もしもおかながたくさんあったら、おおきなうちをかいたいです。
Romaji: Moshimo okane ga takusan attara, ookina uchi o kaitai desu.
English: If I had a lot of money, I would buy a big house.
Example #6
もしも魔法が使えたら、空を飛びたい。
Furigana: もしもまほうがつかえたら、そらをとびたい。
Romaji: Moshimo mahou ga tsukaetara, sora o tobitai.
English: If I could use magic, I would want to fly in the sky.
Example #7
もしも願いが叶うなら、もう一度彼女に会いたい。
Furigana: もしもねがいがかなうなら、もういちどかのじょにあいたい。
Romaji: Moshimo negai ga kanau nara, mou ichido kanojo ni aitai.
English: If my wish were to come true, I would want to meet her once more.
Example #8
もしも道に迷ったら、すぐに電話してください。
Furigana: もしもみちにまよったら、すぐにでんわしてください。
Romaji: Moshimo michi ni mayottara, sugu ni denwa shite kudasai.
English: If you should get lost, please call me immediately.
Example #9
もしも忙しくなかったら、手伝いに行きます。
Furigana: もしもいそがしくなかったら、てつだいにいきます。
Romaji: Moshimo isogashiku nakattara, tetsudai ni ikimasu.
English: If I weren’t busy, I would go to help you.
Example #10
もしも一億円あったら、仕事をやめるだろう。
Furigana: もしもいちおくえんあったら、しごとをやめるだろう。
Romaji: Moshimo ichiokuen attara, shigoto o yameru darou.
English: If I had 100 million yen, I would probably quit my job.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Emphasis on Unlikeliness
‘Moshimo’ adds a nuance of ‘even if it’s unlikely’ or ‘supposing for a moment.’
Example: もしも宝くじが当たったら…
Pairing with Conditionals
‘Moshimo’ makes the condition feel more like a separate ‘suppose’ premise.
Example: もしも雨が降ったら (If by some chance it rains) vs. 雨が降ったら (When/If it rains)
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ もしも明日、雨が降ったら中止です。 (For a simple weather forecast)
✅ 明日、雨が降ったら中止です。
Using ‘moshimo’ for highly likely or ordinary events sounds overly dramatic. Use ‘moshi’ or just ‘~tara’ instead.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: Neutral. The politeness is determined by the final verb of the sentence (e.g., ~desu/~masu vs. dictionary form).
Social Situations: Often used when sharing dreams, deep concerns, or hypothetical philosophy with friends or colleagues.
Regional Variations: Standard Japanese; used universally across Japan.
🔍 Subtle Differences
もし (Moshi) vs. もしも (Moshimo)
‘Moshi’ is a standard ‘if’. ‘Moshimo’ is more emphatic and strongly implies the situation is unlikely or purely imaginary.
When to use: Use ‘Moshi’ for general conditions. Use ‘Moshimo’ for dramatic, emotional, or low-probability scenarios.
📝 Conjugation Notes
‘Moshimo’ is an adverb placed at the start of the clause. It must be paired with a conditional ending like ~tara, ~ba, or ~nara.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
The ‘mo’ at the end is often slightly elongated in emotional speech for extra emphasis.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of ‘Moshimo’ as ‘Moshi’ (If) + ‘mo’ (Even/Also). It expands the simple ‘if’ into a ‘suppose even for a second’ scenario.
Other Grammar
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