おけばいい

also: おけばよい

置けばいい · i-adjective (yoi/ii class)

Form	Positive	Negative
Dictionary	置おけばいい	置おけばよくない
Polite	置おけばいいです	置おけばよくないですalso 置おけばよくありません
Past polite	置おけばよかったです	置おけばよくなかったですalso 置おけばよくありませんでした
Past	置おけばよかった	置おけばよくなかった
Te-form	置おけばよくて	置おけばよくなくて
Adverbial	置おけばよく
Conditional	置おけばよければ	置おけばよくなければ
Tara conditional	置おけばよかったら	置おけばよくなかったら

Meanings

expression, i-adjective (yoi/ii class)

it's OK to ...; it's best to ...; it's alright to ...

usually written using kana alone

Used after the て-form of a verb to express that doing that action is acceptable, advisable, or the right thing to do. The note indicates it is usually used as verb-て...

もう帰かえっておけばいいよ。
It's OK to go home now.
わからないことは先せん生せいに聞きいておけばいい。
If you don't understand something, it's best to ask the teacher.

Kanji

置placement, put, set
良good, pleasing, skilled

Related words

すればいい
Similar pattern using する (to do) instead of 置く; 置けばいい specifically uses the verb 置く (to put/place) in its conditional form, often implying leaving something as is or taking a preparatory action.

Written forms

置おけばいい
Standard kanji-kana mixed spelling; this word is usually written in kana.
置おけばよい
Variant with よい instead of いい; slightly more formal or written.
置けば良い
- おけばよい
  Kanji spelling for よい; less common than kana よい in this expression.
- おけばいい
おけばよい
Kana-only spelling of the よい variant.

Etymology

Formed from the conditional form of 置く (おく, 'to put/place') + いい/よい ('good'). The expression grammaticalized from the literal meaning 'if you put it, it's good' to a general pattern meaning 'it's good to do something (in advance/preparation).'

Meanings

expression, i-adjective (yoi/ii class)

it's OK to ...; it's best to ...; it's alright to ...

usually written using kana alone

Used after the て-form of a verb to express that doing that action is acceptable, advisable, or the right thing to do. The note indicates it is usually used as verb-て...

もう帰かえっておけばいいよ。
It's OK to go home now.
わからないことは先せん生せいに聞きいておけばいい。
If you don't understand something, it's best to ask the teacher.

Written forms

置おけばいい

Standard kanji-kana mixed spelling; this word is usually written in kana.

置おけばよい

Variant with よい instead of いい; slightly more formal or written.

置けば良い

おけばよい
Kanji spelling for よい; less common than kana よい in this expression.
おけばいい

おけばよい

Kana-only spelling of the よい variant.