〜ば
Conditional 〜ば (if / whenever)
Meaning
A general conditional — "if A, then B". Formed from the hypothetical form (仮定形) of the verb/adjective. Used for general truths, hypotheticals, and proverb-like statements.
Formation
verb: [え-stem] + ば (書く→書けば, 食べる→食べれば, する→すれば) · i-adj: drop い → ければ · na-adj/noun: なら(ば)
Notes
Most formal/written of the conditionals. Common in proverbs and rules. Special case: 〜ば the consequent cannot express a past-tense completed action or a direct request (use たら for those).
Examples
天気（てんき）がよければ、散歩（さんぽ）に行（い）きます。
If the weather is good, I'll go for a walk.
Breakdown
安（やす）ければ、買（か）います。
If it's cheap, I'll buy it.
Breakdown
時間（じかん）があれば、手伝（てつだ）ってください。
If you have time, please help me.
Breakdown
春（はる）が来（く）れば、花（はな）が咲（さ）きます。
If spring comes, flowers bloom.
Breakdown
お金（かね）がなければ、働（はたら）かなければなりません。
If you have no money, you have to work.
Breakdown
読（よ）めば読（よ）むほど、面白（おもしろ）くなります。
The more you read, the more interesting it gets. (〜ば〜ほど)
Breakdown
⚠️ Often confused with
〜と、〜
Conditional と (whenever / when)
Two uses: (1) natural/habitual consequence — "whenever A happens, B happens"; (2) discover...
〜たら
Conditional 〜たら (if / when / after)
The most versatile conditional. "If/when A happens, B". Formed from the ta-form stem + ら....
〜なら
Conditional 〜なら (if / given that)
A conditional based on the listener's stated or known information — "if it's the case that...
〜ても / 〜でも
Even if 〜ても
"Even if A, B" / "no matter if A". Indicates that B happens regardless of A. The result is...
〜場合は
In case 〜場合は
"In the event that ~ / in the case that ~". Used to discuss what to do in a particular (of...
〜ないことには
Unless 〜ないことには
"Unless ~", "without first ~ing" — nothing can proceed until this happens.
〜としたら / 〜とすれば
Supposing 〜としたら
"Supposing ~", "if we assume ~" — reasoning from a hypothetical.
〜てからでないと
Not until 〜てからでないと
"Not until ~", "unless ~ is done first" — a precondition that must come first.
〜さえ〜ば
If only 〜さえ〜ば
"If only ~", "as long as just ~" — one sufficient condition.