GRAMMAR DETAIL
さえ〜ば
Indicates that satisfying just one stated condition is enough for the following outcome to be possible.
Examples
必要な道具さえあれば、すぐに修理できる。
As long as we have the necessary tools, we can repair it right away.
Words used
住所さえ分かれば、資料を送れます。
As long as I know the address, I can send the materials.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure:
さえhighlights the key requirement, and the conditionalばpresents that requirement as enough to make the following outcome possible. - Basic usage:
住所さえ分かれば、資料を送れます。presents knowing the address as the key requirement for sending the materials.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Building conditions with nouns and verbs
道具さえあれば直せるmakes the existence of tools the condition. To foreground an action instead, use the masu-stem, as in読みさえすれば分かる.
- Keeping the recipient marker
- In
担当者にさえ伝えればよい,さえfollowsに, which identifies the recipient. Emphasizing the key condition still leaves the person's grammatical role as recipient marked byに.
- In