InitialJ
N4conditionalgrammar

なら (nara) - If (contextual)

[Noun/Plain form] + なら

Quick answer

[Noun/Plain form] + なら means "If (it is the case that)...". As a N4 grammar point, it is tested in the JLPT. Detailed examples and a usage explanation are on this page.

Meaning

If (it is the case that)...

Explanation

なら introduces a condition based on context or assumption.

Examples

日本に行くなら、京都がいいですよ。
にほんにいくなら、きょうとがいいですよ。
If you're going to Japan, Kyoto is good.
日—Day本—Book行—Go京—Capital都—City
暇なら、手伝ってください。
ひまなら、てつだってください。
If you're free, please help me.
手—Hand伝—to transmit

Practice this grammar

[Noun/Plain form] + なら

Which sentence correctly uses "なら (nara) - If (contextual)"?

Vocabulary from these examples

日DayN5本BookN5手HandN4行GoN5伝to transmitN3京CapitalN4京Capital本Book手Hand都City

Last updated Jul 4, 2026