Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 1: 1/22

ばいいCan, Should, It'd be good if

Structure

Verb［ば］+ いい

Details

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About ばいい

In contrast to ばよかった, which is used for expressing regret about something that someone wishes had been done, ばいい highlights that the speaker is hoping for a particular result, in relation to something that has not happened yet. This translates as 'It'd be good if (A)'.

To use ばいい, add the conjunction particle ば, to the end of any verb, and then attach the い-Adjective, いい.

Although ばいい literally means 'if (A), it's good', it can also be used to give advice, and has a meaning that is similar to 'should (A)' in these situations. It is generally quite a soft way of giving advice.

Caution

ばいい may also be used when making statements about something that the speaker believes is not possible. In these cases, it is regularly paired with のに, and has the nuance of 'despite it being good if it were (A)'. This shows that the speaker thinks that (A) would be good, but is aware that (A) cannot/will not happen for some reason.

  • 早(はや)く寝(ね)ればいいのに、全然(ぜんぜん)寝(ね)れない。
    It would be good if I could fall asleep quickly, but I can't sleep at all.
  • 好(す)きなら彼(かれ)にそう言(い)えばいいのに。
    Even though you should just say it if you like him… (Why don't you)
  • 休(やす)めばいいのに、皆(みんな)真面目(まじめ)だから休(やす)まない。
    They should take a break, but because they are all very diligent, they won't.

Examples

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    運動(うんどう)をすればいいだろう。

    It would probably be good if you exercised.

    それいつまでにやればいい？

    When would it be good to do it by?

    眠(ねむ)たいならちょっと仮眠(かみん)をとればいいのに。

    If you are sleepy it would be good to take a short nap.

    仕事(しごと)に早(はや)くいけばいいと思(おも)いますよ。

    I think that it would be better to go to work early.

    道(みち)の案内(あんない)を、誰(だれ)にきけばいいのか分(わ)からない。

    I don't know who would be good to ask directions from.

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ばいい – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (8 in total)

  • AlexoRush

    AlexoRush

    Saw this example on the website
    行ければいいけど、行けるかわからない

    Why is it 行ければ and not 行けば？

  • Fuga

    Fuga

    Hey @AlexoRush !

    行ければ is 行く conjugated using these grammar points, れる・られる (Potential) and ば.

    行ければいい means ‘it would be good if I can go’.

    行けばいい means ‘it would be good if I go’.

    I hope this helps!

  • shadowstar

    shadowstar

    In the example sentence
    僕がでていけばいいんでしょう。悪いのは僕の方なんだから。(meaning It would be better if I leave, right? Since I am the one who has done wrong.)

    I was curious as to what the function of な is within 方なんだから? It intuitively sounds natural to my ears, but I often get tripped up whenever I see a なん every once in a while, so I’d appreciate an explanation from someone who understands! Thank you!

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