A formal conditional meaning 'in the case of / if [situation] arises'. More specific and official-sounding than たら or ば; common in rules and procedures.
[Plain form / Noun + の / な-adj + な] + 場合は (/場合に)
緊急の場合は、このボタンを押してください。
Kinkyuu no baai wa, kono botan o oshite kudasai.
In an emergency, press this button.
緊急の場合 (in the case of emergency) + instruction.
雨の場合は、試合は中止になります。
Ame no baai wa, shiai wa chuushi ni narimasu.
In the event of rain, the match will be cancelled.
雨の場合は (in the case of rain).
問題がある場合は、ご連絡ください。
Mondai ga aru baai wa, go renraku kudasai.
If there is a problem, please contact us.
問題がある場合 = if a problem exists.
• 場合は is more formal and situational than たら; frequent in notices, manuals, and contracts. • 場合によっては = 'depending on the case'. • Noun connects with の (緊急の場合), な-adjectives with な (必要な場合).
The JLPT rarely asks whether you recognise a pattern — it asks which of several similar patterns fits. These are the ones 場合は is tested against.
たら is everyday/spoken 'if/when'; 場合は is formal and highlights a specific SITUATION, typical of written rules.
時 pinpoints a time ('when it happens'); 場合 pinpoints a situation ('in that case / if that situation arises').
Study Japanese grammar on LenGaki

Get the Android app
The app adds offline study, home-screen widgets, stroke-order tracing, speaking practice with pronunciation scoring, and an AI tutor that answers questions in context — none of which fits in a browser tab.