〜なば: This is a way to say 'if' or 'once'. It talks about something that has already happened.

Dictionary

〜なば

This is a way to say 'if' or 'once'. It talks about something that has already happened.

KMT9FormalStandardClassical InflectionWritten OnlyClassicalClassical Conditional FormsGrammar

Verb [stem] + なばPrimary

This is a way to say 'if' or 'once'. It talks about something that has already happened.

この戦に敗れなば、もはや後はない。

If we lose this battle, there is no turning back.

FormalNon PastAffirmativeClause InitialHypotheticalHistory Military

約束の地に辿り着きなば、もう何も恐れることはない。

Once we reach the promised land, there will be nothing more to fear.

FormalNon PastNegativeClause InitialHypotheticalLiterature Religion & Philosophy

あの時、君が助けに来なば、我々は勝利していたものを。

If you had come to help at that time, we would have been victorious.

FormalPastAffirmativeMid SentenceHypotheticalHistory Emotions & Psychology

人、夢破れなば、何を頼りに生きるのか。

If a person's dreams are shattered, what can they rely on to live?

FormalNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceHypotheticalEmotions & Psychology Religion & Philosophy

花散りなば、また来年も美しく咲くことだろう。

If the blossoms scatter, they will surely bloom beautifully again next year.

FormalNon PastAffirmativeClause InitialHypotheticalNature & Environment Literature

This is different from other 'ba' forms. 'Mizenkei-ba' means 'if something happens'. 'Izenkei-ba' means 'because something happens' or 'when something happens'. 'Naba' means 'if something has finished happening'.

Watch out: This "na" is not for saying "not." It means "if something has happened." It is not a negative word.

Don't use this when you talk every day. It is like old-fashioned English words. You will see it in old books or poems.

Verb stem form

This is a special form of a verb. You use it to join verbs together. You can also use it to make a noun from a verb.

〜ぬ

This is an old way to say "not." It means the same as the modern "〜ない."

条件形 (たら)

This grammar means 'if' or 'when'. You use it to talk about things that might happen. You can also use it for a series of actions or to make suggestions.

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.

Track your mastery

Kumi's KMT system tracks your mastery across kanji, vocabulary, grammar, and reading. Create a free account to use it on 220,000+ concepts.

Dictionary

〜なば

This is a way to say 'if' or 'once'. It talks about something that has already happened.

KMT9FormalStandardClassical InflectionWritten OnlyClassicalClassical Conditional FormsGrammar

Verb [stem] + なばPrimary

This is a way to say 'if' or 'once'. It talks about something that has already happened.

この戦に敗れなば、もはや後はない。

If we lose this battle, there is no turning back.

FormalNon PastAffirmativeClause InitialHypotheticalHistory Military

約束の地に辿り着きなば、もう何も恐れることはない。

Once we reach the promised land, there will be nothing more to fear.

FormalNon PastNegativeClause InitialHypotheticalLiterature Religion & Philosophy

あの時、君が助けに来なば、我々は勝利していたものを。

If you had come to help at that time, we would have been victorious.

FormalPastAffirmativeMid SentenceHypotheticalHistory Emotions & Psychology

人、夢破れなば、何を頼りに生きるのか。

If a person's dreams are shattered, what can they rely on to live?

FormalNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceHypotheticalEmotions & Psychology Religion & Philosophy

花散りなば、また来年も美しく咲くことだろう。

If the blossoms scatter, they will surely bloom beautifully again next year.

FormalNon PastAffirmativeClause InitialHypotheticalNature & Environment Literature

Watch out: This "na" is not for saying "not." It means "if something has happened." It is not a negative word.

Don't use this when you talk every day. It is like old-fashioned English words. You will see it in old books or poems.

Verb stem form

This is a special form of a verb. You use it to join verbs together. You can also use it to make a noun from a verb.

〜ぬ

This is an old way to say "not." It means the same as the modern "〜ない."

条件形 (たら)

This grammar means 'if' or 'when'. You use it to talk about things that might happen. You can also use it for a series of actions or to make suggestions.

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.

Track your mastery

Kumi's KMT system tracks your mastery across kanji, vocabulary, grammar, and reading. Create a free account to use it on 220,000+ concepts.

〜なば

Patterns1

Meaning

Examples5

Contrasts1

Common Mistakes1

Restrictions1

Prerequisites4

Track your mastery

〜なば

Patterns1

Meaning

Examples5

Contrasts1

Common Mistakes1

Restrictions1

Prerequisites4

Track your mastery