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Particle TO (と) conditional

1. 

The particle TO can form a conditional structure meaning that something is inevitable if/when something else is done. This conditional can be translated using "if" or "when" most of the time.

If you eat too much, you'll get fat (it's inevitable).
When you steal, you go to prison.

There are other forms of conditional in Japanese (verb + BA, verb + TARA in particular).

北海道は冬になると雪がたくさん降ります。
ほっかいどう は ふゆ に なる と ゆき が たくさん ふります。
When winter comes in Hokkaido, it snows a lot.
明日、雨が降ると運動会が中止になります。
あした、あめ が ふる と うんどうかい が ちゅうし に なります。
If it rains tomorrow, the sports festival will be cancelled.