The Meaning of suru to [すると] In Japanese

すると
すると
Romaji: suru to N5

What does すると mean?

Translation and Meaning

if, when, then

Definition

What does すると mean? It marks the conditional sense of ‘when X happens, then Y follows’ by linking two clauses in a sentence, guiding the listener to expect a consequence or result in the second clause.

Type

Conjunction (接続助詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • Conveys a cause-and-effect relation where the second clause states a consequence of the first.
  • Imparts immediacy or natural sequence in narration, description, or explanation.
  • Common in written and semi-formal Japanese; in casual speech, speakers may prefer 〜と or 〜たら for similar meaning.

Etymology

From the verb suru (to do) plus the conditional particle to producing the phonetic form すると, a standard pattern for linking actions to outcomes.

Usage

Used to connect a preceding action described in dictionary form with a consequent clause, often in narration, explanations, or reasoning. The first clause sets a condition or trigger, and the second clause presents a result or reaction; it tends to be more formal or written than casual speech, and the choice between すると, とすると, or たら conveys nuance about assumption, immediacy, and hypothetical premise.
💡 Tips
Domino tip: imagine する as the first domino; when you do the action, the particle と acts as the trigger, and すると signals the next domino—the consequence in the following clause.

Variations

  • とすると — a hypothetical premise: if we assume this, then … (romaji: to suru to)
  • と — generic conditional: when/if; romaji: to
  • たら — a looser or more common conditional: if/when; romaji: tara

Example Phrases

  • 新しい契約が成立すると、安心して買い物ができる。
    Atarashii keiyaku ga seiritsu suru to, anshin shite kaimono ga dekiru.
    When a new contract is established, you can shop with peace of mind.
    Lista:
    • 新しい (atarashii) – new
    • 契約 (keiyaku) – contract
    • が (ga) – (subject marker)
    • 成立 (seiritsu) – establishment / being formed
    • すると (suru to) – then / when
    • 安心して (anshin shite) – with peace of mind
    • 買い物 (kaimono) – shopping
    • が (ga) – (subject marker)
    • できる (dekiru) – can do / be able to
    The word 「成立」 marks the moment something becomes binding; here it means the contract has been formed.
  • 電車を待っていると、すると友達が迎えに来た。
    Densha o matte iru to, suruto tomodachi ga mukae ni kita.
    While I was waiting for the train, my friend came to pick me up.
    Lista:
    • 電車 (densha) – train
    • を (o) – direct object particle
    • 待っている (matte iru) – waiting
    • と (to) – when
    • すると (suruto) – and then
    • 友達 (tomodachi) – friend
    • が (ga) – subject particle
    • 迎えに (mukae ni) – to pick up
    • 来た (kita) – came
    Use of 「すると」 to indicate an immediate consequence after a situation; here it links the waiting for the train to the friend arriving. 「すると」 expresses the ‘and then’ nuance.
  • 資料を整理すると 作業が 捗る ので 効率が上がる。
    Shiryō o seiri suru to sagyō ga hodoru node kōritsu ga agaru.
    Organizing materials makes the work progress smoothly, so efficiency improves.
    Lista:
    • 資料を整理すると (Shiryō o seiri suru to) – If you organize materials
    • 作業が (sagyō ga) – the work
    • 捗る (hodoru) – progresses smoothly
    • ので (node) – so
    • 効率が上がる (kōritsu ga agaru) – efficiency improves
    Core grammar: 「捗る」 is an intransitive verb; here 作業が「捗る」 describes the work progressing smoothly.
すると