Explanation

さえ～ば is a grammar structure used to express the idea that if one thing is true or achieved, then everything else is possible or guaranteed to follow. It indicates a condition or requirement for a certain outcome.

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Key Formation

• Noun + さえ + Verb + ば

  お金さえあれば (If you have money)

• Noun + さえ + Verb (Negative form) + ば

  時間さえあれば (If I have time)

Example Sentences

• 勉強さえすれば、試験に合格できる。

  If you just study, you can pass the exam.

  べんきょうさえすれば、しけんにごうかくできる。

  Benkyou sae sureba, shiken ni goukaku dekiru.

  Pronunciation

• お金さえあれば、何でも買える。

  If you have money, you can buy anything.

  おかねさえあれば、なんでもかえる。

  Okane sae areba, nandemo kaeru.

  Pronunciation

• 時間さえあれば、行ってみたい場所はたくさんある。

  If I have time, there are many places I want to visit.

  じかんさえあれば、いってみたいばしょはたくさんある。

  Jikan sae areba, itte mitai basho wa takusan aru.

  Pronunciation

• 彼さえ来れば、パーティーは成功する。 (Inspired by a conversation with friends)

  If he just comes, the party will be a success.

  かれさえくれば、ぱーてぃーはせいこうする。

  Kare sae kureba, paatii wa seikou suru.

  Pronunciation

• 雨さえ降らなければ、ピクニックに行ける。

  If it doesn't rain, we can go on a picnic.

  あめさえふらなければ、ぴくにっくにいける。

  Ame sae furanakereba, pikunikku ni ikeru.

  Pronunciation

Usage Notes

Notes and Tips for JLPT students

Related Grammar, and what's the difference?

• ばかり (bakari) - (N3)
  - さえ～ば (sae~ba) is used to express a condition or requirement for a certain outcome, while ばかり (bakari) is used to indicate 'only' or 'just' in reference to an involved action or state.
• と (to) - (N3)
  - さえ～ば (sae~ba) and と (to) both express a conditional relationship, but さえ～ば (sae~ba) emphasizes the idea that if one thing is true or achieved, then everything else is possible, while と (to) expresses a conditional relationship based on cause and effect.
• ても (temo) - (N3)
  - さえ～ば (sae~ba) and ても (temo) both express a conditional relationship, but さえ～ば (sae~ba) emphasizes the idea that if one thing is true or achieved, then everything else is possible, while ても (temo) expresses a more general conditional relationship.
• なら (nara) - (N3)
  - さえ～ば (sae~ba) and なら (nara) are both used to express conditions, but さえ～ば (sae~ba) emphasizes the idea that if one thing is true or achieved, then everything else is possible, while なら (nara) is used to present a hypothetical situation or give advice.

Useful Vocabulary that appeared in this page

• * 勉強 (べんきょう)studyPronunciation
• * 試験 (しけん)examPronunciation
• * 合格 (ごうかく)passPronunciation
• * お金 (おかね)moneyPronunciation
• * 何でも (なんでも)anythingPronunciation
• * 買える (かえる)can buyPronunciation
• * 場所 (ばしょ)placePronunciation
• * たくさん (たくさん)manyPronunciation
• * 行く (いく)goPronunciation
• * 時間 (じかん)timePronunciation
• * 雨 (あめ)rainPronunciation
• * 降る (ふる)rain (verb)Pronunciation
• * ピクニック (ぴくにっく)picnicPronunciation

Quiz

What does the sentence 'お金さえあれば、何でも買える' mean?

• If you have money, you can buy anything.
• If you study, you can pass the exam.
• If it doesn't rain, we can go on a picnic.