How to Say “if” in Japanese – Conditional Form Nara

Have you ever wondered how to say “if” in the Japanese language? There are several ways to express condition, in this article we will examine one of them in detail, the form nara.

Nara is a contextual condition, used after a verb, adjective, or noun. It is used to describe something in a certain context, not always presenting a real condition. The complete form is naraba [ならば], it is more formal, but most of the time only [なら] is used.

What does Nara mean in Japanese?

Nara, besides being the name of a famous Japanese city where deer can be found, is also a conditional that can be translated as:

• if;
• in case;
• if it is the case that;
• if it is true that;
• regarding;
• on the subject of;
• if then;
• that being the case;
• if possible;
• if circumstances allow;

The form nara [なら] is also used to emphasize what comes before. The negative form naranai [ならない] can be translated as: should not; must not; cannot;

There is also the demonstrative adjective sorenara [それなら] which can be translated as: If so, if it is the case, or then.

Conditional sentences in Japanese

Japanese	Romaji	Portuguese
皆が行くなら私も行く。	Mina ga ikunara watashi mo iku.	If everyone is going, I will go too.
君ならできるよ	Kiminara dekiru yo	I believe you can do it.
交通事故には用心しなければならない。	Kōtsū jiko ni wa yōjin shinakereba naranai.	We must take precautions against traffic accidents.
暗くならないうちに帰宅しなさい。	Kuraku naranai uchi ni kitaku shi nasai.	Please go home before it gets dark.
もし明日晴れなら、私たちは野球をします。	Moshi ashita harenara, watashitachiha yakyū o shimasu.	If it is sunny tomorrow, we will play baseball.
君は５時までに駅に着かねばならない。	Kimi wa 5-ji made ni eki ni tsukaneba naranai.	You must arrive at the station by 5:00.
もっと仕事に変化があったならばなあ。	Motto shigoto ni henka ga attanaraba nā.	I wish there were more variety in my work.
日本に行くなら京都	Nihon ni ikunara Kyōto	If you go to Japan, visit Kyoto.
忙しくないなら,どうして会えないの?	Isogashikunainara, dōshite aenai no?	If you are not busy, why can’t you go out with me?
もし父がここにいたならばなんと言うだろう。	Moshi chichi ga koko ni itanaraba nanto iudarou.	If my father were here, what would he say?
それなら手伝ってよ	Sorenara tetsudatte yo	Then help me!

There are other ways to use なら and some facts that were not explained, which need to be analyzed better.

もし – How does moshi fit in?

You may have encountered moshi [もし] in some of the sentences above. Moshi can be translated as “if”. How does it fit into sentences with naraba [ならば] or another conditional?

It is a supplement that adds a feeling of uncertainty about the real condition. It can be used to make an invitation or to suppose something. It can be translated as: in case; assuming; if by chance; if once; maybe; otherwise.

Let’s look at one more example sentence:

• しも時間がないなら, 明日でもいいよ
• Shimo jikan ga nainara, ashita demo ī yo
• If there is no time today, it can be tomorrow;
• (It is not certain if he has time or not.)

We also recommend reading:

• Why do Japanese people say Moshi Moshi when talking on the phone?
• What does Omoshiroi mean in Japanese?
• Japanese Particles – Guide to 200 Functions and Meanings

Using Nara as a particle

The form nara [なら] can be used with a particle.

If you use the particle の before the なら, you are emphasizing a meaning, and it can be used to give advice, make some suggestions, requests, and others. You can use the particle の after adjectives and verbs.

• そんなに暑いのなら上着を脱げばいいのに。
• Son’nani atsui nonara uwagi o nugeba īnoni;
• If you are hot, why not take off your jacket?

You can use なら after the particles に ・ から ・ ため ・ から ・ まで.

Examples:

駅までなら乗せてあげるよ	Eki madenara nosete ageru yo	I will give you a ride if you are going to the station.
あなたのためなら何でもします.	Anata no tamenara nani demo shimasu.	I would do anything (if it is) for you.
彼女にならなんでも買ってあげたい.	Kanojo ninara nan demo katte agetai.	I would like to buy anything (if it is) for her.

Colloquial Use of Nara

In some conversations, you may hear nara [なら] in unusual places, such as at the beginning of a sentence. It can be translated as: If so; then.

なら,私が買ってくるよ.	Nara, watashi ga katte kuru yo.	Then I will get something.
ああ、なら別のものを頼みます。	Ā, nara betsu no mono o tanomimasu.	Aa, then I will order something else.

I hope this short article has helped you clarify your doubts about the use of the form naraba [ならば]. Some sources that helped me write this article and get example sentences were: maggiesensei, guidetojapanese.