〜ば
JLPT N4:if
Sets a condition: "if X, then Y". The result follows from the condition, so it suits general truths, advice and hypotheticals.
How to form it
- For godan verbs, change the last う-sound to its え-sound, then add ば.
- For ichidan verbs, replace る with れば.
- する becomes すれば and 来る becomes 来れば (irregular).
- い-adjectives replace the final い with ければ.
- な-adjectives and nouns take なら instead.
Examples
godan
行く(to go)行けば
ichidan
食べる(to eat)食べれば
irregular
する(to do)すれば
来る(to come)来れば
い-adjective
高い(expensive)高ければ
いい(good)よければnot いければ
な-adjective
静か(quiet)静かなら
noun
学生(student)学生なら
Less common
愛する(to love)愛せば
Some する verbs with a one-kanji stem, like 愛する, can also take the godan ending. 愛すれば is correct too.
Example sentences
安ければ、買います。
If it's cheap, I'll buy it.
春になれば、暖かくなります。
When spring comes, it gets warm.
Notes
- When the second half is a request, invitation or your own intention, ば only works if the condition is a state: 時間があれば、来てください is fine, but for an action use 〜たら: 駅に着いたら、電話してください.
- 〜ばいい means "you should" or "all you have to do is". See 〜たらいい / 〜ばいい.
Similar meaning
- 〜たらif / when
"If" or "once" for a particular event; works before requests and intentions.
- 〜ならif (that's the case)
"If that's the case" — picks up something already said or known.
- 〜とwhenever / if (always)
An automatic or habitual result, "whenever X, Y"; not used before requests.