Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 1: 1/22

ばいいCan, Should, It'd be good if

Structure

Verb［ば］+ いい

Details

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About ばいい

In contrast to ばよかった, which is used for expressing regret about something that someone wishes had been done, ばいい highlights that the speaker is hoping for a particular result, in relation to something that has not happened yet. This translates as 'It'd be good if (A)'.

To use ばいい, add the conjunction particle ば, to the end of any verb, and then attach the い-Adjective, いい.

Although ばいい literally means 'if (A), it's good', it can also be used to give advice, and has a meaning that is similar to 'should (A)' in these situations. It is generally quite a soft way of giving advice.

Caution

ばいい may also be used when making statements about something that the speaker believes is not possible. In these cases, it is regularly paired with のに, and has the nuance of 'despite it being good if it were (A)'. This shows that the speaker thinks that (A) would be good, but is aware that (A) cannot/will not happen for some reason.

  • 早(はや)く寝(ね)ればいいのに、全然(ぜんぜん)寝(ね)れない。
    It would be good if I could fall asleep quickly, but I can't sleep at all.
  • 好(す)きなら彼(かれ)にそう言(い)えばいいのに。
    Even though you should just say it if you like him… (Why don't you)
  • 休(やす)めばいいのに、皆(みんな)真面目(まじめ)だから休(やす)まない。
    They should take a break, but because they are all very diligent, they won't.

Examples

--:--

    運動(うんどう)をすればいいだろう。

    It would probably be good if you exercised.

    それいつまでにやればいい？

    When would it be good to do it by?

    眠(ねむ)たいならちょっと仮眠(かみん)をとればいいのに。

    If you are sleepy it would be good to take a short nap.

    仕事(しごと)に早(はや)くいけばいいと思(おも)いますよ。

    I think that it would be better to go to work early.

    道(みち)の案内(あんない)を、誰(だれ)にきけばいいのか分(わ)からない。

    I don't know who would be good to ask directions from.

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      ばいい – Grammar Discussion

      Most Recent Replies (10 in total)

      • shadowstar

        shadowstar

        In the example sentence
        僕がでていけばいいんでしょう。悪いのは僕の方なんだから。(meaning It would be better if I leave, right? Since I am the one who has done wrong.)

        I was curious as to what the function of な is within 方なんだから? It intuitively sounds natural to my ears, but I often get tripped up whenever I see a なん every once in a while, so I’d appreciate an explanation from someone who understands! Thank you!

      • casual

        casual

        Isn’t it just ～んです・のです (JLPT N5) | Bunpro, with な being necessary to link a noun 方.

        A simple point blank statement:

        悪いのは僕の方だ。

        With conviction/explanatory nuance:

        悪いのは僕の方なんだ。
        悪いのは僕の方なのです。

        With conviction, and explicitly giving a reason for the previous sentence:

        悪いのは僕の方なんだから。

        More plainly giving a reason:

        悪いのは僕の方だから。

        I seems like both だから and のだから versions are used plenty. Apologies if you were looking for something more specific!

      • shadowstar

        shadowstar

        No that was a great explanation and breakdown, thank you! Sometimes I definitely overthink things haha.

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