Japanese grammar · ≈ JLPT N3 · Intermediate 2
〜さえ／さえ〜ば~sae / sae ~ba
even; as long as
Use 〜さえ to highlight an unexpected extreme example; さえ〜ば emphasizes one condition that is enough.
How it works
You cannot understand even simple words? 「さえ」 highlights an extreme example to show how unexpected this is.
Add 「さえ」 after a noun. The original が or を can be omitted, highlighting the example that the noun refers to.
You do not need to say much: greeting people properly is enough. 「さえ～ば」 emphasizes this one condition.
In the examples, not understanding highlights something unexpected; 「できれば」 sets a condition. The two uses of さえ have different meanings.
Example sentences
- 方言hougenがga強いtsuyoiと、to、簡単な言葉kantannakotobaさえsae聞きkiki取れないことtorenaikotoがgaあります。arimasu。
If the dialect is strong, you may not be able to understand even simple words.
In a conversation
Check yourself
Level 1 · Recognise
Which sentence is correct?
Level 1 · Recognise
Listen and choose the meaning
Level 2 · Build
Put the words in order
If the dialect is strong, sometimes you can't even catch simple words.
Level 3 · Use
What goes in the blank?
方言が強いと、簡単な言葉____聞き取れないことがあります。
If the dialect is very strong, you may not even understand simple words.
More grammar in this theme
- 〜さえ／さえ〜ばeven; as long as