〜ば

N4

if (conditional)

Formation

Verb え-stem + ば / い-adj: drop い + ければ

Explanation

The ば conditional expresses a general condition. It focuses on the condition itself and is often used for hypothetical situations and giving advice.

Examples

安ければ買います。
やすければかいます。
If it's cheap, I'll buy it.
聞けば分かります。
きけばわかります。
If you ask, you'll understand.

Common Mistakes

  • !ば can't be used when the result is a volitional action in some cases

Related Grammar

〜たらif / when (conditional)〜ならif (contextual)〜てもeven if / even though
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