Kotomora
JLPT N4Construction
Furigana

ばIf; condition

This conditional presents something as the requirement or route that makes a result possible, valid, or expected. It works for general relationships and for particular hypothetical situations, especially when the important question is what condition will produce the result.

How it works

The conditional clause normally comes first and identifies the condition needed for the following result. It is particularly useful when the desired result is already clear and the speaker is explaining what will make that result possible.

General and particular conditions

The relationship may be general and repeatable, or it may concern one particular possibility.

温おん度どが下さがれば、水みずは凍こおり始はじめます。

If the temperature falls, water begins to freeze.

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料りょう金きんが安やすければ、利り用よう者しゃは増ふえるでしょう。

If the price is low, the number of users will probably increase.

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もし明日あした晴はれれば、式しきは庭にわで行おこなわれます。

If it is sunny tomorrow, the ceremony will be held in the garden.

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Finding the condition that works

A

どうすれば、このファイルを開ひらけますか。

What should I do to open this file?

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B

このアプリを使つかえば、開ひらけますよ。

You can open it if you use this app.

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Here the desired result is opening the file. The answer supplies the condition that makes it possible.

Enabling condition or regular consequence?

ば often highlights the condition that enables a result. By contrast, the conditional と often presents what regularly or automatically happens when an action is performed. This is a difference in viewpoint, not a claim that only one form can ever be grammatical.

エアコンの設せっ定ていを変かえれば、部屋へやをもっと涼すずしくできます。

If you change the air-conditioner settings, you can make the room cooler.

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This presents changing the settings as the route to the desired result.

このつまみを回まわすと、風かぜが強つよくなります。

When you turn this knob, the airflow gets stronger.

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This presents the stronger airflow as the regular result of turning the knob.

More examples

条じょう件けんが変かわれば、答こたえも変かわります。

If the conditions change, the answer changes too.

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天てん気きがよければ、屋おく上じょうから山やまが見みえます。

If the weather is good, you can see the mountains from the roof.

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明日あしたまでに部ぶ品ひんが届とどけば、予よ定ていどおり修しゅう理りできます。

If the parts arrive by tomorrow, the repairs can be completed as scheduled.

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会かい員いんであれば、この部屋へやを利り用ようできます。

If you are a member, you may use this room.

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毎まい日にち練れん習しゅうすれば、少すこしずつ上手じょうずになります。

If you practice every day, you will gradually improve.

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質しつ問もんがあれば、受うけ付つけで聞きいてください。

If you have any questions, please ask at reception.

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