JLPT N3 Vocabulary – The difference between “状態” and “条件”

Table of Contents

1. The difference between “状態じょうたい” and “条件じょうけん“
2. 状態じょうたい
3. 条件じょうけん
4. Summary
5. Quiz
6. Similar Articles
7. Comments

Q: What is the difference between “状態じょうたい” and “条件じょうけん“？

A: Both words can be translated into English as “condition,” but in Japanese their meanings and usage are clearly different.

・状態じょうたい: A word that expresses the “current state or situation” of something

・条件じょうけん: A word that indicates the “requirements or factors” necessary for something to happen

Understanding this difference will help you use expressions correctly in a variety of contexts.

状態じょうたい (JLPT N3)

It is a word that describes the concrete state or situation of something.
It is used when explaining “what something is like,” such as a person’s health, emotions, the climate, or the characteristics of an object.

[Examples]
この車くるまは中古ちゅうこですが、とても状態じょうたいがいいです。
This car is second-hand, but it is in very good condition.

祖父そふは入院にゅういんしていて、危険きけんな状態じょうたいです。
My grandfather is hospitalized and in critical condition.

この寺てらは古ふるいですが、完全かんぜんな状態じょうたいで残のこっています。
This temple is old, but it remains in perfect condition.

条件じょうけん (JLPT N3)

It is a word that expresses the elements required for a certain result to occur, or the rules that must be followed in a contract or regulation.
It carries the meaning of “if 〜, then 〜 can happen” or “what is necessary in order to do 〜.”

[Key points]
・It expresses the premise or criteria needed for a result to be achieved
・It influences future actions or events
・It is often used for requirements in contracts, applications, and qualifications

[Examples]　
入学にゅうがくを希望きぼうする学生がくせいは、全すべての条件じょうけんを満みたさなければなりません。
Students who wish to enroll must meet all the requirements.

条件じょうけんに同意どういしないと、契約けいやくはできません。
If you do not agree to the terms, the contract cannot be made.

クーポンをもらう条件じょうけんとして、アンケートに回答かいとうする必要ひつようがあります。
To receive a coupon, you must answer a survey as a condition.

Summary

[状態じょうたい]

• Used to describe the current appearance or situation.
• It expresses natural characteristics or the state of something at a particular moment.
• It is often used in descriptions and reports.

[条件じょうけん]

• Indicates the premises or criteria required for a result to occur.
• It expresses factors that influence future actions.
• It is used in contracts, applications, qualifications, and terms of use.

	Basic meaning	English image	Situations where it is used	Direction of time	Common examples
状態じょうたい	“The current state or condition” of something	current state / condition	Used in explanations, descriptions, and reports	Represents the present state	health condition, weather condition, condition of an object
条件じょうけん	“The necessary premise or rule” for a result to occur	requirement / term / condition	Used in contracts, applications, qualifications, and the establishment of results	Represents the premise that influences future actions and outcomes	admission requirements, contract terms, application requirements

Quiz

Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.

Click on the question to check the answer.