【JLPT N4 Grammar】〜なら（~nara）

2024年11月4日 2024年11月4日

Contents

1 Explanation：〜なら
2 Sample sentenes
3 Usage Notes
4 Vocabulary
5 Comparison with Similar Expressions

Explanation：〜なら

Meaning

The expression 〜なら in Japanese is a conditional form used to express "if," "in the case of," or "if it’s true that." It’s often employed to provide a hypothetical condition, suggest actions based on an assumed scenario, or emphasize specific conditions. 〜なら is particularly useful when the speaker wants to focus on a certain situation, add background context, or introduce advice or suggestions.

Form

Verb (dictionary form) + なら
Example: 行く (iku) → 行くなら (iku nara) - "if you’re going."
い-adjective + なら
Example: 安い (yasui) → 安いなら (yasui nara) - "if it’s cheap."
な-adjective + なら
Example: 静か (shizuka) → 静かなら (shizuka nara) - "if it’s quiet."
Noun + なら
Example: 雨 (ame) → 雨なら (ame nara) - "if it’s raining."

Points

Conditional Assumption: 〜なら implies a condition or assumption, often based on known information or context.
Focus on Context: Used when discussing conditions that may not have been confirmed but are assumed to be true.
Making Suggestions or Proposals: Commonly used to offer suggestions or proposals based on an assumed condition.

JLPT Level
N4

Sample sentenes

1. Conditional "If" or "In the Case of"

安やすいなら、もっと　買かいたいです。
If it rains, the match will be canceled.

この　仕事しごとなら、私わたしが　やります。
If there’s time, let’s watch a movie.

彼女かのじょが　行いくなら、私わたしも　行いきます。
If she’s going, I’ll go too.

2. Making Suggestions or Giving Advice

沖縄おきなわに　行いくなら、夏なつが　いいですよ。
If you’re going to Okinawa, summer is best.

疲つかれているなら、早はやく　寝ねたほうがいいですよ。
"If you’re tired, you should go to bed early."

3. Asking for Confirmation or Clarification:

明日あしたなら、時間じかんが　ありますか？
If it’s tomorrow, do you have time?

Usage Notes

Focus on Assumptions: 〜なら is especially common when making assumptions about the situation or context. It can introduce hypothetical ideas or provide a basis for suggestions, emphasizing that the speaker is not confirming the condition but rather assuming it might be true.
Polite and Non-Obligatory Advice: Compared to 〜たら or 〜ば, 〜なら tends to sound slightly softer and less direct. This is why it’s often preferred when giving advice or recommendations based on an assumed scenario.

Vocabulary

Japanese		English
疲れる	つかれる	to get tired

Comparison with Similar Expressions

〜たら has a more direct "if/when" meaning and implies a completed action or event.
〜ば emphasizes cause-and-effect relationships but is slightly more formal and indirect.