InitialJ
N3conditionsufficiency

～さえ～ば (sae-ba) - If only / As long as

[Noun] + さえ + [Verb conditional]

Quick answer

[Noun] + さえ + [Verb conditional] means "If only / As long as / Even just". Mastering this N3 structure builds fluency for reading and listening. Full examples and exercises are below.

Meaning

If only / As long as / Even just

Explanation

Indicates that one condition is sufficient for a desired outcome.

Examples

お金さえあれば、何でも買える。
おかねさえあれば、なんでもかえる。
If only I had money, I could buy anything.
金—Gold何—What買—Buy
努力さえすれば、成功できる。
どりょくさえすれば、せいこうできる。
As long as you make an effort, you can succeed.
努—Toil力—Power成—to become功—Achievement

Practice this grammar

[Noun] + さえ + [Verb conditional]

Which sentence correctly uses "～さえ～ば (sae-ba) - If only / As long as"?

Vocabulary from these examples

成to becomeN3力PowerN4功AchievementN4買BuyN4努ToilN3力Force金Gold金Money何What何What

Last updated Jul 4, 2026