GRAMMAR
〜さえ〜ば
if only ~ then
Explanation
NOTE
〜さえ〜ば means if only X, then Y — expressing that just one condition is enough.
君さえいてくれれば、何もいらない。
If only you are here, I don't need anything else.
Emphasizes that one single thing (you) is sufficient for the result.
NOTE
The result clause typically expresses a positive outcome that depends on just that one condition.
NOTE
With nouns, attach さえ to the noun and use the ば conditional form of the verb.
STRUCTURE
NさえVば
お金さえあれば、何でも買える。
Okane sae areba, nan demo kaeru.
If only I had money, I could buy anything.
時間さえあれば、旅行に行きたい。
Jikan sae areba, ryokou ni ikitai.
If only I had time, I'd want to travel.
君さえ来れば、会議を始められる。
Kimi sae kureba, kaigi o hajimerareru.
If only you come, we can start the meeting.
NOTE
With verbs, use the masu-stem + さえすれば to mean if you just do X.
STRUCTURE
Vますさえすれば
薬を飲みさえすれば、すぐ治る。
Kusuri o nomi sae sureba, sugu naoru.
If you just take the medicine, you'll get better quickly.
練習さえすれば、上手になれる。
Renshuu sae sureba, jouzu ni nareru.
If you just practice, you can get good at it.
毎日読みさえすれば、語彙が増える。
Mainichi yomi sae sureba, goi ga fueru.
If you just read every day, your vocabulary will grow.
練習しさえすれば、上手になる。
Renshuu shi sae sureba, jouzu ni naru.
If you just practice, you will get better.
ボタンを押しさえすれば、動き出す。
Botan o oshi sae sureba, ugokidasu.
If you just press the button, it will start moving.
言いさえすれば、彼は手伝ってくれる。
Ii sae sureba, kare wa tetsudatte kureru.
If you just say so, he will help you.
NOTE
With i-adjectives, replace い with くさえあれば (高い → 高くさえあれば).
STRUCTURE
Adj-Iい
くさえあれば体が丈夫でさえあれば、何でもできる。
Karada ga joubu de sae areba, nani demo dekiru.
If only the body is healthy, anything can be done.
値段が安くさえあれば、買うのに。
Nedan ga yasuku sae areba, kau noni.
If only the price were cheap, I would buy it.
天気がよくさえあれば、出かけるのに。
Tenki ga yoku sae areba, dekakeru noni.
If only the weather were good, I would go out.
Practice exercises
1
毎日練習しさえすれば、上手になれる。
If you just practice every day, you can get good.
Answer
さえすれば
2
健康さえあれば、それで十分だ。
As long as you have your health, that's enough.
Answer
さえあれば
3
安くさえあれば、どんな商品でも買う。
As long as it's cheap, I'll buy any product.
Answer
さえあれば
4
信頼できる仲間さえあれば、どんな困難も乗り越えられる。
As long as I have trustworthy companions, I can overcome any difficulty.
Answer
さえあれば
5
水さえあれば、大丈夫だ。
If only we have water, we'll be fine.
Answer
さえあれば