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〜なら

if (that's the case), if it's… you want

Plain form / Noun + なら

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なら picks up something the other person said, or a situation, and responds to it: 京都に行くなら、秋がいいですよ, "if you're going to Kyoto, autumn's the best time".

It's the conditional of advice and recommendations. After a noun it means "as for", "if it's … you want": 日本料理なら、この店がおいしい, "if it's Japanese food you're after, this place is good".

Unlike たら, the なら clause doesn't have to happen first. パソコンを買うなら、軽いのがいい: the advice applies before you buy.

It also answers "where's X?": 田中さんなら、もう帰りましたよ, "Tanaka? He's already gone home."

Examples

  • 京都きょうとに行いくなら、秋あきがいいですよ。

    If you're going to Kyoto, autumn's the best time.

  • 日本料理にほんりょうりなら、この店みせがおいしいです。

    If it's Japanese food you want, this place is good.

  • 暇ひまなら、映画えいがを見みに行いかない？

    If you're free, want to go and see a film?

  • パソコンを買かうなら、軽かるいのがいいですよ。

    If you're buying a computer, get a light one.

  • 田中たなかさんなら、もう帰かえりましたよ。

    Tanaka? He's already gone home.

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