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JLPT N4 · Conditionals (if / when)

なら (nara)

～なら — “if it is the case that ～ / if ～”

In short · なら takes a topic or situation that the listener has mentioned (or that is clear from context) and gives advice, opinion or a request based on it: “if that's the case, then ～.” It follows the plain form; nouns and na-adjectives take no だ.
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Pattern

  • 動詞・い形容詞の普通形 ＋ なら 行く → 行くなら / 疲れている → 疲れているなら / 読まない → 読まないなら
  • 名詞・な形容詞（だ を除く）＋ なら 京都なら / 好きなら

Where it comes from

It comes from ならば with ば dropped, meaning “if that is so.” The first part is usually something already under discussion or clear from what the other person said.

When to use it

Use it to give advice after someone says they're going to Kyoto: 京都へ行くなら、新幹線が便利です. It also works for advice or requests based on a situation, as in 疲れているなら、少し休んでください.

Difference from たら, ば and と

なら picks up a topic or assumption, and what follows is often advice, opinion, a suggestion or a request. What follows may even happen before the first part (京都へ行くなら、先に切符を買うといい). たら refers to what comes after the first action is finished.

Examples

  • 京都（きょうと）へ行（い）くなら、新幹線（しんかんせん）が便利（べんり）です。

    Kyōto e iku nara, shinkansen ga benri desu.

    If you're going to Kyoto, the bullet train is convenient.

  • 疲（つか）れているなら、少（すこ）し休（やす）んでください。

    Tsukarete iru nara, sukoshi yasunde kudasai.

    If you are tired, please rest a little.

  • その本（ほん）を読（よ）まないなら、私（わたし）に貸（か）して。

    Sono hon o yomanai nara, watashi ni kashite.

    If you are not going to read that book, lend it to me.

Common mistakes

  • Do not add だ: 京都なら, not 京都だなら.
  • For the result of something that actually happened, use たら or と. なら picks up a topic or assumption.

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