JLPT N4 grammar
〜なら — Meaning & Examples
"If that's the case / given that". Picks up on context or something stated. 日本に行くなら京都 (nihon ni iku nara kyōto). Uniquely, its clause can refer to something happening after the main clause.
〜なら — "If That's the Case" + Comparison
〜なら picks up on something already said or a known topic — "if (we're talking about) X, then..." It responds to context.
Form: [noun / plain form] + なら
日本に行くなら、京都がおすすめです。(nihon ni iku nara, kyōto ga osusume desu.)
= If you're going to Japan, I recommend Kyoto.
A：新しいパソコンがほしい。(atarashii pasokon ga hoshii.)
B：パソコンなら、あの店が安いよ。(pasokon nara, ano mise ga yasui yo.)
= A: I want a new computer. B: If it's computers, that shop is cheap.
なら is unique: the なら-clause can refer to something that happens AFTER the main clause — it gives advice based on a premise.
行くなら、切符を買っておいたほうがいい。(iku nara, kippu o katte oita hō ga ii.)
= If you're going (to go), you'd better buy a ticket first.
🎯 Quick comparison:
・と = automatic, always (no command/intention after)
・ば = hypothetical "if", general conditions
・たら = most versatile; "if/when after"; any ending
・なら = "if it's the case that"; picks up context
Master these four and Japanese conditionals stop being confusing! 🎉
Practice questions
Try these 3 questions on 〜なら. Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. "Press this button and the door opens (automatically)" uses?
- 押せば (oseba)
- 押すと (osu to)
- 押したら (oshitara)
- 押すなら (osu nara)
Show answer
Answer: 押すと (osu to)
と = automatic result. ボタンを押すとドアが開きます — a predictable, every-time consequence.
2. "If you're going to Japan, I recommend Kyoto" uses?
- 行くと (iku to)
- 行けば (ikeba)
- 行ったら (ittara)
- 行くなら (iku nara)
Show answer
Answer: 行くなら (iku nara)
なら picks up on context ("if it's the case you're going"). 日本に行くなら、京都がおすすめ.
3. Which conditional CANNOT be followed by a command or request?
- と (to)
- ば (ba)
- たら (tara)
- なら (nara)
Show answer
Answer: と (to)
と only describes automatic results — you can't follow it with 〜てください or an intention. Use たら for those.
Practise 〜なら in the free app
This point is part of the “The Four Conditionals — と・ば・たら・なら” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N4 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N4 grammar points
From the same lesson: The Four Conditionals — と・ば・たら・なら
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜なら mean?
"If that's the case / given that". Picks up on context or something stated. 日本に行くなら京都 (nihon ni iku nara kyōto). Uniquely, its clause can refer to something happening after the main clause.
Is 〜なら on the JLPT N4 test?
〜なら is taught in the JLPT N4 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “The Four Conditionals — と・ば・たら・なら”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise 〜なら?
Open the “The Four Conditionals — と・ば・たら・なら” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N4 mock exams, with no ads.