[Student’s sentence]

 

日本に行けば、何を食べようかな。
When I go to Japan, what shall I eat?

*にほんにいけば、なにをたべようかな。

 

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[My correction]

 

日本に行けば、何を食べようかな。
→日本に行ったら、何を食べようかな。
When I go to Japan, what shall I eat?

 

When the subject remains the same before and after 〜ば, you cannot use expressions of your own will or desire. However, in this sentence, there is an expression of will, 何を食べようかな (“What shall I eat?”).
Therefore, you should use 〜たら, which does not have this limitation.

 

Examples:

国(くに)に帰(かえ)ったら、友達(ともだち)と会(あ)いたい。
When I return to my country, I want to see my friends.

(×国に帰れば、友達と会いたい。)
会いたい is an expression of “desire”

 

60歳(さい)になったら、田舎(いなか)に住(す)もうかな。
I wonder if I should live in the countryside when I turn 60.

(×60歳になれば、田舎に住もうかな。)
住もう is an expression of “will”

 

 

In the JLPT course, each lesson includes homework. Submit your homework, and I’ll provide corrections. I’ll break down Japanese grammar, highlighting mistakes and explaining structures and nuances in a simple way. Feel free to ask as many questions as you need—I’m here to help you understand!