Grammar Info

N1 Lesson 8: 7/19

とあれば

(emphatic) if, if it is the case that, as (you wish)

Structure

Noun + （だ）+ とあれば

Details

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    Formal

  • 使用域

    硬い

About とあれば

とあれば is a grammar pattern in Japanese that is used as an emphatic version of なら 'if'. It will primarily be used in formal situations, or for literary effect, such as in a novel. It may be translated as 'if (A) is the case, then (B)', or 'should (A) be true, then (B)'.
This is a combination of the case-marking particle と, and the hypothetical form of the う-Verb ある 'to be', あれば.
とあれば will primarily follow nouns, but is occasionally also seen after other structures such as verbs and adjectives when the と is being used as a quotation.
  • データを復元(ふくげん)できるとあれば、いくらでも出(だ)します！
    If it is for recovering my data, I would pay whatever you offer!
  • 状態(じょうたい)がいいとあれば4万(まん)円(えん)ぐらいで売(う)れると思(おも)いますよ。
    If it is in good condition, I think you'd be able to sell it for 40,000 yen.
  • 先輩(せんぱい)の指示(しじ)とあれば従(したが)わないわけにはいけないけど、絶対(ぜったい)私(わたし)のやり方(かた)の方(ほう)が効率(こうりつ)がいいと思(おも)うのに。
    It is my Senpai's orders so I have to do it, but I swear my way is a lot more efficient.
  • お前(まえ)の頼(たの)みとあればやるしかないだろ。俺(おれ)に任(まか)せろ。
    If it is your wish, I have to do it. Leave it up to me.
(A) is often some special circumstance or condition that leads to the conclusion or assumption of (B), were (A) to be accurate. As this expression is emphatic, (B) will usually indicate something that must be done, or can't be avoided with structures like しかない, なければならない, ざるを得ない, etc.
Fun Fact
とあれば tends to appear with のため before it quite often. This can be translated as 'if for the purpose of (A)', and will describe the lengths that the speaker is willing to go for (A) in (B).
  • 息子(むすこ)のためとあればどれだけでも残業(ざんぎょう)をする。
    If it is for my son, I will do as much overtime as I have to.

Examples

  • 息子(むそこ)のためとあれば、火(ひ)の中(なか)でも飛(と)び込(こ)みます。

    If it is for my son, I would even dive into a fire.

  • A：「お願(ねが)いがあって。ねえ聞(き)いてくれる？」
    B：「もちろん！Aさんの望(のぞ)みとあれば何(なに)でも聞(き)いちゃうよ。なに？」

    A: 'I have a request. Will you listen?'
    B: 'Of course. If it is your wish, I will listen to everything. What (is it)?'

  • A：「あすの朝(あさ)でも発(た)てるか？」
    B：「必要(ひつよう)とあれば（行(い)くしかない）ね」

    A: 'Are you leaving tomorrow morning?'
    B: 'If it is necessary (I will have no choice, but to go).'

    The latter clause can be omitted. The necessity of doing something is generally implied in that case.

  • 小説(しょうせつ)：「皇帝(こうてい)陛下(へいか)の命令(めいれい)とあればせざるを得(え)ない！」

    Novel: 'If it is his Highness's order, then I will have no choice but to do it.'

  • 小説(しょうせつ)：誘拐犯(ゆうかいはん)「おまえの父親(ちちおや)は、おまえのためとあれば、法外(ほうがい)に巨額(きょがく)の身代金(みのしろきん)でも喜(よろこ)んで払(はら)うだろう。」

    Novel, kidnapper: 'Your father, if it is for you, will gladly pay even an absurdly large ransom.'

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