Meaning
This question asks which action would be an appropriate way to solve a problem.
Formation
- Question word + ば form + いいですか: どうすればいいですか
- The たら variant sounds softer
When to use it
- Core use
- Asks for advice with the ば conditional
Examples
16 sentences-
どうすればいいですか
What should I do?
-
どこで聞けばいいですか
Where should I ask?
-
どの電車に乗ればいいですか
Which train should I take?
-
この漢字はどう書けばいいですか
How should I write this kanji?
-
いつ連絡すればいいですか
When should I contact you?
-
だれに伝えればいいですか
Who should I tell?
-
切符はどこで買えばいいですか
Where should I buy a ticket?
-
この問題はだれに聞けばいいですか
Who should I ask about this problem?
8 more examples
-
次はいつ来ればいいですか
When should I come next?
-
旅行に何を持ってくればいいですか
What should I bring on the trip?
-
これはどう説明すればいいですか
How should I explain this?
-
どのボタンを押せばいいですか
Which button should I press?
-
家を何時に出ればいいですか
What time should I leave home?
-
どちらを選べばいいですか
Which of the two should I choose?
-
いくら払えばいいですか
How much should I pay?
-
車はどこに止めればいいですか
Where should I park the car?
Important notes
- ばいい can express a sufficient condition, advice or a wish depending on context.
Common mistakes
- Do not treat every ばいい as a command; どうすればいいですか asks for guidance.
Check yourself
Pick the translation of each sentence. The wrong options translate similar patterns, so watch the grammar rather than the words.
Similar grammar
Hear it in podcasts
The pattern appears in these episodes. They open in the app with the transcript and translation.
The trainer requires a free account. Examples and practice questions on this page are available without signing up.