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How to Say ‘If it doesn't get better’ in Japanese

良くならなければ

yoku nara nakere ba

[YOH-koo nah-RAH nah-KEH-reh bah]

💬 Usage Tip: 良い "good" becomes 良く before なる "to become", giving "get better". The ending なければ adds "if not".

Phrase Breakdown

良く

yoku

[YOH-koo]

better; well

Adverb form of 良い (good); with なる it means 'get better'.

Example

薬を飲んで良くなりました。

I took medicine and got better.

なら

nara

[nah-RAH]

become (stem)

Stem of なる (to become), here before a negative ending.

Example

なかなか元気にならない。

I just don't get well.

なけれ

nakere

[nah-KEH-reh]

not (there is not)

Conditional stem of ない, meaning 'there is not'.

Example

時間がなければ、明日でいいです。

If you don't have time, tomorrow is fine.

ば

ba

[bah]

if (conditional)

Conditional ending; なければ means 'if (it) does not'.

Example

痛ければ言ってください。

If it hurts, please tell me.

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