Condition and supposition

～なら

if it is the case that ~; if you say so ~ (assumption); as for ~

AI-written, reviewed by AI (ChatGPT)

How to form it

Verb / い-adjective (plain form) + なら
な-adjective (stem) + なら
Noun + なら

Explanation

Takes something that was said or is clear from the situation and gives advice, a suggestion or a judgement for that case.

The condition is often a premise from the conversation or context. The second part is advice, a recommendation or a decision. It can also pick out a topic: 寿司なら、あの店がおいしい.

Examples

日本語を勉強するなら、この辞書がいいですよ。
にほんごをべんきょうするなら、このじしょがいいですよ。
If you are going to study Japanese, this dictionary is good.
行きたくないなら、行かなくてもいいよ。
いきたくないなら、いかなくてもいいよ。
If you do not want to go, you do not have to.
安いなら、二つ買おう。
やすいなら、ふたつかおう。
If it is cheap, I will buy two.
寿司なら、駅前の店がおいしい。
すしなら、えきまえのみせがおいしい。
If it is sushi you want, the shop in front of the station is good.

Compare with

～ば: ば is a general condition; なら is a condition based on what has been said or is understood.
～たら: たら is a condition that happens; なら picks up a given premise.

Common mistakes

Using なら for a general natural result. と or ば is more natural.