「〜も〜ば〜も」- Listing Multiple Items or Attributes

Explanation

「〜も〜ば〜も」 is a Japanese grammatical structure used to list multiple items or attributes. It is pronounced as 「〜も〜ば〜も」 and is used in sentences to emphasize two or more characteristics, actions, or states. This structure is often used to describe that something or someone possesses multiple qualities or can perform multiple actions, conveying this information through enumeration.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Noun1 + も + Verb ば-form + Noun2 + も	Noun1 + も + Verb ば-form + Noun2 + も	Used to list two or more actions or states.

Basic Usage

Here are some basic examples:

• うちの子うちのこはまだ中学生ちゅうがくせいだが、料理りょうりも作つくれば、洗濯せんたくもしてしてくれるくれる。
• Uchi no ko wa mada chuugakusei da ga, ryouri mo tsukureba, sentaku mo shite kureru.
• Our child is still in middle school, but they can cook and also help with the laundry.
  

Deep Dive

The use of 「〜も〜ば〜も」 is not limited to simple enumeration; it can also be used to express the following specific contexts:

1. Listing Positive/Negative Evaluations: By listing two or more examples, it expresses a comprehensive evaluation of something.

   • あの地域あのちいきは治安ちあんも悪わるければ、交通こうつうの便べんも悪わるいので住すみたくない。
   • Ano chiiki wa chian mo warukereba, koutsuu no ben mo warui node sumitakunai.
   • That area has poor security and inconvenient transportation, so I don’t want to live there.
     

2. Listing Diversity or Versatility: Used to describe that something or someone has a wide range of qualities or abilities.

   • この大型客船このおおがたきゃくせんの中なかには映画館えいがかんもあれば、ボーリング場ぼーりんぐじょうもあります。
   • Kono oogata kyakusen no naka ni wa eigakan mo areba, boringu jou mo arimasu.
   • This large cruise ship has a movie theater and also a bowling alley.
     

3. Listing Opposing Items: By listing opposing items, it illustrates a contrast.

   • 納豆なっとうを好すきな人ひともいれば、嫌きらいな人ひともいる。
   • Nattou o suki na hito mo ireba, kirai na hito mo iru.
   • Some people like natto, while others dislike it.
     

Comparison and Distinction

Expression	Usage	Example	English Translation
〜も〜ば〜も	Used to list two or more attributes or actions	彼かれは日本語にほんごも話はなせば、英語えいごも話はなせます。	He can speak both Japanese and English.

Real-Life Scenarios

Here are some practical examples and their English translations:

• 彼かれは日本語にほんごも話はなせば、英語えいごも話はなせます。
• Kare wa nihongo mo hanaseba, eigo mo hanasemasu.
• He can speak both Japanese and English.
  

• このレストランこのれすとらんは料理りょうりも美味おいしければ、サービスさーびすも素晴すばらしいです。
• Kono resutoran wa ryouri mo oishikereba, saabisu mo subarashii desu.
• This restaurant not only has delicious food but also excellent service.
  

• 彼女かのじょは歌うたも上手じょうずなら、ダンスだんすも得意とくいです。
• Kanojo wa uta mo jouzu nara, dansu mo tokui desu.
• She is not only good at singing but also skilled at dancing.
  

Summary

「〜も〜ば〜も」 is a highly practical grammatical structure used to list multiple items or attributes, emphasizing the diversity and comprehensiveness of things. By mastering this structure, learners can more accurately express complex concepts and evaluations.