Learn Japanese grammar: ば (ba). Meaning: conditional form; If [A] then [B].
Standard format: [A] ば [B]
If condition [A] is met, then [B] will happen.
Rules for ば (ba) Conditional Form
There are some special format rules for this grammar, which I will explain now with some examples before moving on to our main example sentences.
Verbs
- Use dictionary form.
- Change the ending from “u” to an “e”.
- Add ば at the end.
う Verb – Example
行く = いく = iku = to go
ku changes to ke
行けば = いけば = ikeba = if (you) go
る Verb – Example
食べる = たべる = taberu = to eat
ru changes to re
食べれば = たべれば = tabereba = if (you) eat
Special Verb 来る
来る = くる = kuru = to come
ru changes to re
来れば = くれば = kureba = if (you) come
Special Verb する
する = suru = to do
ru changes to re
すれば = sureba = if (you) do
Verb (Negative Form)
- Use dictionary negative form.
- Change the ending ない (nai) to なければ (nakereba).
行かない = いかない = ikanai = to not go
changes to
行かなければ = いかなければ = ikanakereba = if (you) do not go
い-adjective (Negative)
- The rules are the same, change the ending ない (nai) to なければ (nakereba).
大きくない = おおきくない = ookikunai = not big
changes to
大きくなければ = おおきくなければ = ookikunakereba = if not big
い-adjective
- Change the ending い (i) to ければ (kereba).
大きい = おおきい = ookii = big
changes to
大きければ = 大きければ = ookikereba = if big
な-adjective
- At the end, add either of the two.
- ならば (naraba)
- であれば (de areba)
便利 = べんり = benri = convenient
changes to
便利ならば = べんりならば = benri naraba = if convenient
(OR)
便利であれば = べんりであれば = benri deareba = if convenient
な-adjective (Negative)
- At the end, add either of the two.
- じゃなければ (janakereba) (more casual)
- でなければ (de nakereba)
便利 = べんり = benri = convenient
changes to
便利じゃなければ = べんりじゃなければ = benri janakereba = if not convenient
(OR)
便利でなければ = べんりでなければ = benri denakereba = if not convenient
Noun
- Same as な-adjective
- At the end, add either of the two.
- ならば (naraba)
- であれば (de areba)
日本人 = にほんじん = nihonjin = Japanese
changes to
日本人ならば = にほんじんならば = nihonjin naraba = if Japanese
(OR)
日本人であれば = にほんじんであれば = nihonjin deareba = if Japanese
Noun (Negative)
- Same as な-adjective (negative)
- At the end, add either of the two.
- じゃなければ (janakereba) (more casual)
- でなければ (de nakereba)
日本人 = にほんじん = nihonjin = Japanese
changes to
日本人じゃなければ = にほんじんじゃなければ = nihonjin janakereba = if not Japanese
(OR)
日本人でなければ = にほんじんでなければ = nihonjin denakereba = if not Japanese
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ば - Example Sentences 例文
Each example sentence includes a Japanese hint, the romaji reading, and the English translation.
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Example #1
このボタンを押せば、ドアが開きます。
Example #2
あなたが行けば、わたしも行くよ。
Example #3
今すぐ出発すれば間に合うでしょう。
Example #4
毎日練習をすれば、上手になるよ。
Example #5
数週間もすれば、みんな忘れるよ。
Example #6
海に行けば誰だって水着を着るわ。
Example #7
アメリカ大使館へ行きたいんですが、どう行けばいいですか。
Vocabulary List 語彙
| Kanji 漢字 | Kana カナ | English 英語 |
|---|---|---|
| 便利 | べんり | convenient |
| 押す | おす | to push; to press |
| 開く | ひらく | to open |
| 出発 | しゅっぱつ | to depart |
| 間に合う | まにあう | to make it in time |
| 毎日 | まいにち | everyday |
| 練習 | れんしゅう | practice |
| 上手 | じょうず | skilled |
| 数週間 | すうしゅうかん | a few weeks |
| 忘れる | わすれる | to forget |
| 海 | うみ | ocean |
| 誰だって | だれだって | everyone |
| 水着 | みずぎ | swim suit |
| 着る | きる | to wear |
| 大使館 | たいしかん | embassy; consulate |
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