GE10 · Conditions: 〜ば

Before you start

The sentences use words you already know, up to the elementary level, and assume basic grammar.

This lesson assumes what you saw in the earlier ones. If something feels shaky, go back to it:

• GE01say what you can do
• GE02say who gives what to whom
• GE03say what happens if or when
• GE04say what something looks like
• GE05say something is done or happened by mistake
• GE06say what always happens when…
• GE07say something happens anyway
• GE08speak as among friends
• GE09say how things are left and prepare

What you learn

〜ば、〜

• ければif (い-adjective)

The ば-form says «if»: -ru verbs change る to れば (たべれば); the others go to the e row + ば (のむ → のめば, いく → いけば). する → すれば, くる → くれば. い-adjectives: い → ければ (やすければ).

• やすければ、かいます。yasukereba, kaimasu.If it's cheap, I'll buy it.
• あめが ふれば、いきません。ame ga fureba, ikimasen.If it rains, I won't go.
• まっすぐ いけば、えきが あります。massugu ikeba, eki ga arimasu.If you go straight on, there's the station.
• くすりを のめば、なおります。kusuri o nomeba, naorimasu.If you take the medicine, you'll get better.
• よやくを すれば、まちません。yoyaku o sureba, machimasen.If you book, you won't wait.
• あした はれれば、やまに のぼります。ashita harereba, yama ni noborimasu.If it's sunny tomorrow, I'll climb the mountain.

Practice

A short text written only with the kana and grammar you already know. Read it and answer.