ば (If… then)

If… then, (Conditional)

JLPT N4
Pattern

Verb (～ば) / い-adj (～ければ)

How it works

The ば-form makes a condition: “if A, then B”. う-verbs change to the -e sound + ば (行けば); る-verbs use れば (食べれば); い-adjectives use ければ (安ければ). It often stresses what is needed for B to happen.

Examples

  • タクシーに 乗れば 間に合うかもしれない。If we take a taxi, we might make it.
  • 安ければ 買います。If it's cheap, I'll buy it.

Related grammar

Further reading

Bunpro N4 · Lesson 3

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