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    Dictionary
    1. Dictionary
    2. Grammar
    3. 〜ば

    〜ば

    〜ば

    This grammar means 'if'. You use it when something will always happen. Or you can use it to give advice.

    N4KMT2NeutralStandardAuxiliary ConstructionMixedCore ConditionalsGrammar

    Verb [ば-form]Primary
    い-Adjective [stem] + ければ
    な-Adjective + であれば
    Noun + であれば

    This grammar means 'if'. You use it when something will always happen. Or you can use it to give advice.

    もっと練れん習しゅうすれば、上じょう手ずになりますよ。

    If you practice more, you will get better.

    PoliteNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeEducationCore Concepts
    安やすければ、そのパソコンを買かいます。

    If it's cheap, I will buy that computer.

    PoliteNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceVolitionalTechnologyBusiness & Finance
    早はやく起おきなければ、電でん車しゃに間まに合あわないよ。

    If you don't wake up early, you'll miss the train.

    CasualNon PastNegativeMid SentenceConjecturalDaily LifeTravel & Transportation
    あの時とき、もっと勉べん強きょうしていればよかった。

    I wish I had studied more at that time.

    NeutralPastAffirmativeSentence EndingHypotheticalEducationEmotions & Psychology
    君きみがリーダーであれば、このプロジェクトは成せい功こうしただろう。

    If you had been the leader, this project would probably have succeeded.

    NeutralPastAffirmativeMid SentenceHypotheticalWork & CareerBusiness & Finance

    This grammar is for things that are always true. It is also for giving advice. Think of it like a wise old saying. You can use it to ask for ideas too.

    This is different from "~to". "~to" shows a sure result. "~ba" can be used with commands or requests. It is like "~tara". But "~ba" focuses more on the condition. "~tara" focuses on things happening in order. "~nara" is for 'if' based on new information.

    Don't use this when you want to do something and someone else does the 'if' part. For example, 'If he goes, I want to go' uses a different grammar. If you want to do something, and you are also the one doing the 'if' part, then you can use 〜ば. For example, 'If I go, I want to go.' This rule changes if the 'if' part is about a thing or a state, not a person.

    Often confused with(3)

    〜なら

    You use this word to talk about a topic. You can give advice about it. You can also ask a question about it.

    〜たら

    This means 'if' or 'when'. You use it to say something will happen after another thing.

    〜と

    This grammar shows what always happens. It is like saying 'when' or 'if' something always leads to another thing.

    Contrasts with(3)

    〜と

    This grammar shows what always happens. It is like saying 'when' or 'if' something always leads to another thing.

    〜たら

    This means 'if' or 'when'. You use it to say something will happen after another thing.

    〜なら

    You use this word to talk about a topic. You can give advice about it. You can also ask a question about it.

    条件形 (えば)

    This grammar means 'if' or 'when'. You use it for things that are generally true. You also use it for advice or ideas.

    〜い / 〜かった

    This is the basic form of an い-adjective. It describes a quality of something. You use it for present or past qualities.

    〜だ / 〜だった

    This means 'is' or 'was'. It is the casual way to say 〜です and 〜でした.

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    Related concepts for this entry

    prerequisite

    • 条件形 (えば)
    • 〜い / 〜かった
    • 〜だ / 〜だった
    • 〜とあれば
    • 〜ばこそ
    • 〜ば幸いです
    • 〜ば (已然形)
    • 〜から見れば / 〜から見ると
    • 〜こそ...已然形
    • 〜にしてみれば / 〜にすれば
    • 〜によれば
    • 〜りゃ

    contrasts_with

    • 〜と
    • 〜たら
    • 〜なら

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