How to parse 「場合でも」 I was standing at a urinal recently as tried to read the note on the top surface. It was as follows: > Based (mostly) on the words and context I would expect this to mean something like "When there is no person, there will be a flush of water" I am hung up on the part. In [this question [ is explained as typically being followed by and/or . Both of those make sense to me as a typical particle usage for a "temporal noun", but I am not sure what the usage is. How is acting here, or is it ? Thank you!

I would structurally translate this as:

>
>
> There are times when the water will flow, even if it is the case where there is nobody (here).

The N+ construction expresses the same as V+, adj+ adj, which indicates a 'reverse condition', usually translated to "even if" \- i.e. explaining a scenario which is contrary to what you might think. Usually, I suppose, a urinal's flushing feature only activates after use, by using one of those infra-red sensors; this is simply explaining that they may also (surprisingly) activate as a matter of course, without a person needing to use it/be there to trigger it.

is often used in a related way, in "no matter the case" type phrases, with :

> No matter the situation (case), I was smiling.
>
> This rule applies in all cases.
>
> (Whatever the case) you should never judge people by the colour of their skin.