Meaning & usage
ば marks an if condition that leads to a result, advice, or hypothetical outcome. For verbs, change the verb to its potential-like e-stem form and add ば, as in 行けば, 食べれば, or すれば. For i-adjectives use ければ, as in 高ければ, and for nouns and na-adjectives use であれば or ならば, as in 学生であれば. It is neutral in style and common for general truths and suggestions like すればいいですか.
Example sentences 5
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もうちょっとでもお金があれば買ったのに。
If only I had just a little more money, I'd have bought it.
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何時にチェックインすればいいですか。
What time should I check in?
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どうすれば天国に行けるのでしょうか。
How can I get to heaven?
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人手が多ければ仕事は楽になるんだ。
Many hands make light work.
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毎日日本語を勉強すれば、もっと上手になりますよ。
If you study Japanese every day, you'll get better at it.
