Grammar Info

N1 Lesson 8: 7/19

とあれば(Emphatic) if, If it is the case that, As (you wish)

Structure

Noun + ()+ とあれば

Details

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    Formal

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.

(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

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    息子(むそこ)のためとあれば()(なか)でも()()みます。

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

    市民(しみん)(ねが)とあればスーパーヒーローはいつでも出動(しゅつどう)するんだとか。

    I hear that the hero would mobilize at any moment if it were the wish of the citizens.

    社員(しゃいん)「そんな会社(かいしゃ)のトップからの(さそ)とあれば無視(むし)できない」

    Company employee: 'If it is an invitation from the head of the company, then it cannot be ignored.'

    (はは)はいつも「(あい)する(まご)のためとあれば、どんな(たの)みも()くわ」と()っています。

    Mom always says, ‘if it is my beloved grandchild, then I would list to any request’.

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

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

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