ばIf and when
If with ば
The ば form states a condition and what holds true under it. It's often used for general truths and advice.
Making it
Every kind of word has a form
| Type | Change | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 verb | final -u becomes -e, add ば | 行く → 行けば, 読む → 読めば |
| Group 2 verb | drop る, add れば | 食べる → 食べれば |
| Irregular | する → すれば, 来る → 来れば | |
| い adjective | drop い, add ければ | 高い → 高ければ, いい → よければ |
| な adjective | add なら(ば) or であれば | 静かなら |
| Noun | add なら(ば) or であれば | 学生なら |
| Negative | ない becomes なければ | 行かなければ |
Try some
Pick a word
All of these mean “if…”.
if I go
-u becomes -e, then ば.
In use
A condition and its result
When spring comes, it'll get warmer.
A general truth
If I have time, I want to travel.
A hope
If it's cheap, I'll rent it.
An intention
If you practice, you'll get good.
Encouragement
A common use
“How do I…?” and useful phrases
What should I do?
Literally: if I do how, will it be good?
Please, if you'd like.
The more you read it, the more interesting it is.
~ば~ほど means “the more…, the more…”.
Careful
Limits on ば
If the second half is a command or request, the first half normally has to be a state, not an action: 時間があれば来てください is fine, but 駅に着けば電話してください sounds wrong, so use たら. It also can't describe one actual past event: use たら or と. It can describe things that didn't happen, as in “if only I had…”.
Check yourself
What kind of word is it?
If it rains, it's canceled.
Your turn
Which ば form?
If I have money, I'll buy it.
Say it yourself
Asking for advice
You've lost your train pass. Ask a station attendant what you should do, then add that you'll buy a new one if it's cheap.
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