Grammar Point
particle
prt 
ば

if ... then, when

Conditional ば Form

The conditional form ば is used to express a condition that must be met for a certain result to occur. It is primarily used for general truths, logical consequences, or when the speaker wants to focus on the condition itself.

Verbs

For Group 1 verbs (u-verbs), change the final ~u sound to an ~e sound and add ば. For Group 2 verbs (ru-verbs), replace the final ~ru with ~reba.

If you eat, you will become energetic.

If I buy it, it will be expensive.

い-Adjectives

Replace the final い with ければ.

If it is cheap, I will buy it.

If it is cold, I will not go out.

Nouns and な-Adjectives

Add ならば to the noun or the stem of the な-adjective. The ば is often omitted in casual speech, leaving just なら.

If it is quiet, I can study.

If it is a car, it is fast.

Negative Forms

To form the negative conditional, change the negative form (~ない) to ~なければ.

If you don't go, I won't go either.

If it is not delicious, I won't eat it.

Note

When the main clause involves a request, command, or suggestion, the ば form can only be used if the preceding verb is a non-action verb (like ある or いる) or an adjective. If the first part is an action verb, the たら form is preferred for requests. Also, the ば form is not used for past tense conditions.

Words: 
ば
Radicals of radicals