なら (Were it)

Were it, If, If it's the case, As for (Conditional)

JLPT N4
Pattern

Noun / plain form + なら

How it works

なら means “if it's the case that ~”. It often picks up what someone just said and gives advice: 京都に行くなら、きよみずでらがいいよ (if you're going to Kyoto, Kiyomizu-dera is good).

Examples

  • 京都に 行くなら、きよみずでらが いいですよ。If you're going to Kyoto, Kiyomizu-dera is great.
  • コーヒーなら、あの 店が おいしいです。If it's coffee you want, that café is good.

Related grammar

Further reading

Bunpro N4 · Lesson 3

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