～さえ～ば
sae ba
As long as; if only a minimum condition is met
Formation 接続
N + さえ + conditional; Vます stem + さえすれば; な-adjective / N + でさえあれば; い-adjective く + さえあれば
Explanation 説明
Highlights a sufficient or crucial condition: if this one requirement is met, the desired result follows. It can also express regret that a basic condition was not met.
Examples 例文
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田中さんは暇さえあれば、本を読んでいます。
Whenever Mr. Tanaka has any free time, he reads.
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薬を飲みさえすれば、病気が治るというものではありません。
It is not the case that simply taking medicine will cure an illness.
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あの時、話し合ってさえいれば、妻と別れることはなかったのに。
If only we had talked things through then, I would not have separated from my wife.
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お金さえあれば、他には何もいらない。
As long as I have money, I need nothing else.
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この子が健康でさえいてくれれば、私は幸せです。
As long as this child stays healthy, I am happy.
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自分さえよければ、他人がどうなってもいいの？
Is it all right for others to suffer as long as you are fine?
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スマホさえあれば、テレビもパソコンもいりません
As long as I have a smartphone, I need neither a television nor a computer.
How related patterns differ 比較
としたら/とすれば sets an assumption. さえ～ば presents a condition considered sufficient, whereas ないことには presents a necessary condition. てからでないと sets an ordering prerequisite. ても and としても describe a result that still holds under the stated condition.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ～さえ～ば | As long as; if only a minimum condition is met | 田中さんは暇さえあれば、本を読んでいます。 Whenever Mr. Tanaka has any free time, he reads. |
| ～としたら | If we suppose that; if it were the case that | 彼女に誕生日プレゼントをあげるとしたら、何がいいと思う？ If you were to give her a birthday present, what do you think would be good? |
| ～ても | Even if; even though; related permission expressions | クラスでスマホを使ってもいいですか。 May I use my smartphone in class? |
| ～てからでないと／からでなければ | Not until after; unless one first does | 予約をしてからでないと、この店には入れません。 You cannot enter this restaurant unless you make a reservation first. |
| ～ないことには | Unless; without first doing | 実際に使ってみないことには、便利かどうか分かりません。 Unless I actually try it, I cannot tell whether it is convenient. |
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