Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 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［ます］+ 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 + （で） + さえ + あれば

Details

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About さえ〜ば

As a set expression, さえ～ば is a combination of the adverbial particle さえ, and the conjunction particle ば. 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 (A) is (B)', 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 ば 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'.

Examples

--:--

    妹(いもうと)は暇(ひま)さえあれば、運動(うんどう)する。

    Only if my sister has free time, then she will exercise.

    彼(かれ)は自分(じぶん)さえ良(よ)ければ、いいと思(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)さえ良(よ)ければテニスできるのに…（良(よ)い）

    If only the weather was good, then I would play tennis.

    君(きみ)さえいれば、他(ほか)には何(なに)もいらない。

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

    機会(きかい)さえあれば、会(あ)えるのに…（ある）

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

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さえ〜ば – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (4 in 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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