Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 9: 16/22

()ければ

If it is alright, If you don't mind, If you would like, If possible

Structure Legend

Structure

Noun + よければ

Details

  • Register

    Standard

  • 使用域

    一般

About でよければ

でよければ is an expression that is constructed with the case marking particle で, and the potential form of the い-Adjective いい, よければ. The literal meaning of 'if with (A) is good/fine', or 'if by (A) is good/fine' is quite similar to the standard translation, which is 'if (A) is ok'.
でよければ will always follow nouns or noun-phrases.
  • ()(にく)でよければ、うち(ちか)美味(おい)しいところがあるから、そこ()かない
    If yakiniku is fine, there is a good yakiniku place near my house, so do you want to go there?
  • 中古(ちゅうこ)()ければいいのが沢山(たくさん)ありますよ。
    If used ones are fine, we have many good options.
でよければ is a phrase that is often used in relation to oneself, in order to politely offer some sort of help, advice, or service.
  • (わたし)でよければ手伝(てつだう)よ。
    If you don't mind, I can help you. (If I am a suitable option, I can help you)
  • 先生(せんせい)でよければ先生(せんせい)写真(しゃしん)()てあげるよ。
    If you don't mind, I can take a picture for you.
As is being used in its standard meaning of 'with' or 'by', でよければ implies that the speaker is enquiring whether the quality/ability of (A) is good enough to achieve some specific result.

Examples

  • ウェルギリウス:「(わたし)でよければ案内(あんない)しますが。」

    Virgil: 'If you don't mind (me), I can be your guide.'

  • この(かご)でよければ(つく)れます

    If this is the basket that you would like, I can make it.

  • 水曜日(すいようび)でよければ一緒(いっしょ)()けます。

    If you do not mind Wednesday , I can go with you.

  • 賃貸(ちんたい)でよければいい(いえ)()つけた。

    I have found a good house, if you don't mind renting.

  • 中古車(ちゅうこしゃ)でよければ(やす)(くるま)あります

    There are cheap cars, if you don't mind used ones.

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でよければ – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (2 in total)

  • seanblue

    seanblue

    About 4 years ago

    賃貸でよければ、いい家を見つけた。

    I have found a good house, if you don’t mind renting

    I’m struggling with this sentence. Not sure if it’s the Japanese or the translation or both. So you found a house. It’s good if one doesn’t mind renting. The part that bugs me is the change in voice in the English (“I” to “you”), but the problem (= my confusion) exists in the Japanese even where the pronouns aren’t stated. The reason is, clearly if the person got the house, and thinks it’s good, then renting is fine. There’s not “if” the renting is fine since they are doing it.

    Or maybe the problem is the lack of context? I assumed the person speaking is also the one doing the renting, but is this supposed to be a real estate agent talking to their client, saying they found a good house for the client (rather than themselves)? If it’s supposed to be something like that, I guess it makes more sense, in which case I think it would be good to add context for who is spe...

  • Daru

    Daru

    About 1 year ago

    Just picture it as a natural conversation. This is a sentence said by a single person, so the pronouns are obviated because of that.

    Try reading it as natural speech and I think it becomes much clearer!

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