If it's for: 〜とあれば
名詞・普通形 + とあれば
X とあれば = “if it's for X, if it's a matter of X”: an exceptional reason justifying a will or an acceptance. To note a cause, it's 〜とあって.
In short
〜とあれば means “if it's a matter of X, as long as it's X”. You set out a particular, often exceptional condition that's enough to justify an effort, a concession or a decision you wouldn't otherwise make. What follows expresses a will or a judgement (何でもする, 仕方がない, 断れない). Formal register, in writing as in measured speech.
- 子どものためとあれば、親はどんな苦労もいとわない。こどものためとあれば、おやはどんなくろうもいとわない。When it's for their children, parents will go to any lengths.
- 社長の命令とあれば、従うしかない。しゃちょうのめいれいとあれば、したがうしかない。If it's an order from the CEO, there's nothing for it but to obey.
- 君の頼みとあれば、断るわけにはいかないな。きみのたのみとあれば、ことわるわけにはいかないな。If it's you asking, I can hardly say no.
The basics
〜とあれば comes from quotative と + あれば (“if there is”). Literally: “if one is faced with what's called X”. This X is a strong reason, almost an exception: a child, a customer, an order, a necessity.
The core idea: “normally no, but for X, yes”. The second part says what you're willing to do or accept for that reason.
If it's for my children, I'll do anything.
- noun
- grammatical form
- other
- verb
- 子どものためとあれば、何でもする。こどものためとあれば、なんでもする。If it's for my children, I'll do anything.
- 仕事とあれば、休日出勤も仕方がない。しごととあれば、きゅうじつしゅっきんもしかたがない。When it's for work, coming in at the weekend can't be helped.
How to form it
とあれば goes after a noun (without だ) or after the plain form of a verb or adjective. In more literary language, you meet とあらば, with the same meaning.
| Before | Construction | Example |
|---|---|---|
| noun | noun + とあれば | 社長の命令とあれば |
| purpose | 〜のためとあれば | 家族のためとあれば |
| verb | plain form + とあれば | 君が行くとあれば |
| adjective | plain form + とあれば | 安いとあれば |
| fixed | 必要とあれば／必要とあらば | if necessary |
- これほど安いとあれば、多少遠くても買いに行く人は多いだろう。これほどやすいとあれば、たしょうとおくてもかいにいくひとはおおいだろう。At prices this low, lots of people will make the trip, even from far away.
- 必要とあらば、いつでも力を貸そう。ひつようとあらば、いつでもちからをかそう。If need be, I'll lend you a hand whenever you like.
What the second part says
After 〜とあれば comes a will (〜する, 〜つもりだ), an acceptance (仕方がない, 〜しかない) or a judgement (〜だろう). You don't relate a past fact that happened once: for that, you use 〜とあって.
- 恩師の頼みとあれば、引き受けないわけにはいかない。おんしのたのみとあれば、ひきうけないわけにはいかない。If it's my old teacher asking, I can't refuse.
- 国民の安全のためとあれば、政府はあらゆる手段をとるべきだ。こくみんのあんぜんのためとあれば、せいふはあらゆるしゅだんをとるべきだ。When it comes to citizens' safety, the government should use every means available.
とあれば, なら, ためなら, とあって
なら and ためなら are the neutral, everyday version: 子どものためなら何でもする says the same thing, without the solemnity. とあって, on the other hand, isn't a condition: it notes a real cause and describes the resulting situation (“since it was X, …”).
| Form | Nature | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 〜とあれば | exceptional condition → will | 君の頼みとあれば引き受ける |
| 〜なら／ためなら | neutral, everyday condition | 君のためなら引き受ける |
| 〜とあって | observed cause → situation | 連休とあって道が混んでいる |
- 人気店の新作とあって、開店前から長い行列ができていた。にんきてんのしんさくとあって、かいてんまえからながいぎょうれつができていた。Since it was a trendy shop's new product, a long queue had formed before opening.
Common mistakes
- Relating a past fact after とあれば: “連休とあれば道が混んでいた” doesn't work; for an observation, it's 連休とあって.
- Keeping だ before とあれば with a noun: you say 仕事とあれば, not “仕事だとあれば”.
- Using it for an ordinary condition (“if it rains”): とあれば assumes a strong reason that justifies an effort.
7 exercises on this point
Particles to choose, sentences to put back in order, translations: marked straight away, then reviewed at the right time. This JLPT N1 point is on the Kyūshū Line (Values and society) of the Shinkansen.