Infos sur Grammaire

N3 Leçon 5: 21/22

さえ~ばIf only…then, As long as..., Provided..., Only thing ... needs for ... is ...

たら can be used instead of ば form, but it is rarely the case.

Structure

Verb[stem]+ さえ + すれば
Verb[て]+ さえ + いれば
Noun + さえ + Verb[ば]
[い]Adjective[く]+ さえ + あれば
Noun + さえ + [い]Adjective[ば]
[な]Adjective + () + さえ + あれば

Détails

  • Niveau de langue

    Standard

À propos de さえ〜ば

As a set expression, さえ~ば is a combination of the adverbial particle さえ, and the conjunction particle . It is used to highlight assumption, and presents (A) as a extreme limitation that is required to achieve (B), hypothetically. This structure may be translated as 'if only (A), then (B)', 'the only thing needed for (B) is (A)', or 'as long as (A), (B)'.

さえ may be grouped with any word, but will require the conjunctive form, or て form before it when grouped with verbs. It also regularly appears after other particles, forming a dual-particle meaning.

This use of さえ is an example of limit, with (A) being a hypothetical limit presented by the particle. It is also possible to see さえ with other hypothetical indicators (such as たら), but is quite rare in modern Japanese, as さえ~ば is considered a set pattern.

This limitation is also sometimes referred to as a 'stipulation', or 'condition'.



Exemples

--:--

    (いもうと)(ひま)さえあれば運動(うんどう)する。

    As long as my little sister has free time, she will exercise.

    (かれ)自分(じぶん)さえ()ければ、いいと(おも)っている。

    He thinks that as long as it is good for him, it is good (for everyone). (only if)

    天気(てんき)さえ()ければテニスできるのに…

    If only the weather was good, then I would be able to play tennis, but...

    機会(きかい)さえあれば()えるのに…

    If only there was a chance, then I would meet him...

    (きみ)さえいれば(ほか)には(なに)もいらない。

    I don't need anything else, as long as I have you. (if only you exist)

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      さえ〜ば – Discussion Grammaire

      Réponses les plus récentes (4 au total)

      • mrnoone

        mrnoone

        Hey, sorry for a long time it took to answer, I have noticed the post today

        I have added it as an alternative answer. Basically, 暇 can be also treated not only as な adjective but also as a noun.

        Cheers

      • Zenguro

        Zenguro

        It would be great to have some examples added so that each structure point has at least one example. Some examples for adjective structures are missing right now, and I don’t see them often enough in the wild to feel comfortable with them just yet.

      • steffuld

        steffuld

        Is てさえいれば a counterpart to ている? It’s not quite clear from the write-up. What is the logic behind すれば, いれば, あれば in general?

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