～さえ～ば・～さえ～なら
If only this condition is met
You’ll be able to identify the single minimum condition that is enough for a desired result.
温かいスープさえあれば、寒い夜のキャンプでも平気です。
atatakai suupu sae areba, samui yoru no kyanpu demo heiki desu.
What do you think this sentence means?
As long as we have warm soup, we are fine even camping on a cold night.
Specify the one condition that is enough
～さえ～ば (or さえ～なら) emphasizes that as long as one essential condition is fulfilled, nothing else is required for a positive or intended result to occur.
住所さえわかれば、すぐに行けます。
juusho sae wakareba, sugu ni ikemasu.
As long as I know the address, I can go right away.
体さえ元気なら、何でもできます。
karada sae genki nara, nan demo dekimasu.
As long as I am healthy, I can do anything.
Attach さえ and a conditional form
Insert さえ after a noun or verb stem, followed by a conditional form like ば, なら, or たら.
時間さえあれば、どこへでも旅行に行きたい。
jikan sae areba, doko e demo ryokou ni ikitai.
If only I had time, I would want to travel anywhere.
材料さえ新鮮なら、簡単な料理でも十分おいしい。
zairyou sae shinsen nara, kantan na ryouri de mo juubun oishii.
As long as the ingredients are fresh, even simple dishes taste good enough.
天気さえよければ、明日は山の上から海が見えるはずだ。
tenki sae yokereba, ashita wa yama no ue kara umi ga mieru hazu da.
As long as the weather is good, we should be able to see the sea from the top of the mountain tomorrow.
毎日三十分歩きさえすれば、体重は少しずつ減りますよ。
mainichi sanjuppun aruki sae sureba, taijuu wa sukoshi zutsu herimasu yo.
If you just walk for thirty minutes every day, your weight will gradually go down.
7 more examples in the grammar path — free for a limited time.