~なら (conditional)

grammar

95 sentences

The conditional なら, 'if (it's the case that) X / if we're talking about X / in the case of X.' Topicalizes a given condition or premise from context and states what follows from it. The fuller classical variant ならば carries the same sense. Distinct from ~たら (one-off conditional), ~ば (general conditional), and ~と (automatic consequence): なら typically takes up a premise rather than asserting it, and is preferred for advice, decisions, and plans built on a stated or assumed situation.

95 sentences

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Because I decided I'd follow you anywhere you go.

、、。

I'm sure you'll win hands down with your ability, but don't let it go to your head — first I want you to grind it out alongside your classmates.

「」、。

'I'm not going to lend you money,' I said flatly.

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If you don't believe what I'm telling you, go see for yourself.

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If I were doing it, I'd bring a soup plate, carefully slide the glass to the edge of the table, and pour the water into the soup plate. The water wouldn't spill on the floor.

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If I were you, I'd propose to her.

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If I were you, I wouldn't have said something so stupid.

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A wanderer, if he's rich, is called a tourist.

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If you have a complaint, say it straight out. Your attitude is the very definition of two-facedness.

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Like father, like son — they're both hopeless.

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If you want to hear a scary story, I'll tell you about a dream I had a few weeks ago.

「？」「」

"If you're tired, why don't you go to bed?" "Because if I sleep now, I'll wake up too early."

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Even if it's someone else who makes her happy, as long as she's happy, that's fine.

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If it were just a book, the Space Police wouldn't be sticking their nose in — the problem is that this thing is a chunk of over-advanced technology.

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Then in that case, why did they enthrone the likes of the Owl King?

「、？」「・・・」

"If you quit getting in our way from here on, we could let bygones be bygones, I guess." "You're being awfully generous..."

、、。

If you keep making that face, I'll demote you back to just friends again.

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For example, a Frenchman might not easily laugh at a Russian joke.

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I'd like to drop by next week — which day would be convenient for you?

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If you're free tomorrow, I can show you around Kyoto.

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If someone were to speak to me like that, I'd call the police.

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If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't know what to do.

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If it were me, I wouldn't bet on that horse.

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If I were you, I wouldn't do that.

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If it's a proposal that Section Chief Hida has vouched for, the client will probably approve it immediately.

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A Japanese person would never do something like that.

、、・・・。

Apparently, my previous dentist said that if I quit smoking, he'd clean the tar off my teeth... or so I heard.

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If you're only half-serious about it, I'd rather you didn't come.

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If you're going to apologize, sooner is better.

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If you can afford it financially, there's no problem using both, but hypnosis alone is sufficiently effective.