〜なら
Conditional 〜なら (if / given that)
Meaning
A conditional based on the listener's stated or known information — "if it's the case that ~" / "given that ~". Often used to give advice or recommendations based on what someone just said.
Formation
[plain form] + なら
Notes
Unlike と/ば/たら (which look forward), なら takes the clause as a GIVEN and comments on it. Typical: 「日本へ行きたいです」「日本へ行くなら、京都がいいですよ」. Also: 〜なら (after noun) for "if it's ~".
Examples
日本（にほん）へ行（い）くなら、京都（きょうと）がいいですよ。
If you're going to Japan, Kyoto is nice.
Breakdown
旅行（りょこう）するなら、早（はや）く予約（よやく）したほうがいいです。
If you're going to travel, you should book early.
Breakdown
お酒（さけ）を飲（の）むなら、車（くるま）を運転（うんてん）しないでください。
If you're going to drink, please don't drive.
Breakdown
私（わたし）なら、そんなことは言（い）いません。
If it were me, I wouldn't say such a thing.
Breakdown
スーパーで買（か）うなら、ここのスーパーが安（やす）いです。
If you're going to buy at a supermarket, this one is cheap.
Breakdown
時間（じかん）がないなら、明日（あした）にしましょう。
If you don't have time, let's make it tomorrow.
Breakdown
⚠️ Often confused with
〜と、〜
Conditional と (whenever / when)
Two uses: (1) natural/habitual consequence — "whenever A happens, B happens"; (2) discover...
〜ば
Conditional 〜ば (if / whenever)
A general conditional — "if A, then B". Formed from the hypothetical form (仮定形) of the...
〜たら
Conditional 〜たら (if / when / after)
The most versatile conditional. "If/when A happens, B". Formed from the ta-form stem + ら....
〜ても / 〜でも
Even if 〜ても
"Even if A, B" / "no matter if A". Indicates that B happens regardless of A. The result is...
〜場合は
In case 〜場合は
"In the event that ~ / in the case that ~". Used to discuss what to do in a particular (of...
〜ないことには
Unless 〜ないことには
"Unless ~", "without first ~ing" — nothing can proceed until this happens.
〜としたら / 〜とすれば
Supposing 〜としたら
"Supposing ~", "if we assume ~" — reasoning from a hypothetical.
〜てからでないと
Not until 〜てからでないと
"Not until ~", "unless ~ is done first" — a precondition that must come first.
〜さえ〜ば
If only 〜さえ〜ば
"If only ~", "as long as just ~" — one sufficient condition.