N なら、〜 (N nara, ~) — If it is N / speaking of N
Picking up the topic the other person just raised, then giving information or advice about it.
Formula (सूत्र ढाँचा)
Grammar rule (व्याकरण नियम र परिभाषा)
When to use it
If someone says "温泉に 行きたいんですが", you take that same word and answer "温泉なら、箱根が いいですよ" — that is, "if we are talking about that, then...".
Meaning
- The special job of なら is to pick up what the other person just said.
- This is what makes なら different from the other three: と・ば・たら link events, while なら links the topic of the talk.
How to attach
- It attaches straight to a noun, with no です or だ (休みなら, 明日なら).
- It is the same with な-adjectives (元気なら).
- It also follows the plain form (普通形) of a verb — 日本へ 行くなら、円を 準備します (you prepare the money before going).
- A request, a piece of advice or an order can all follow なら.
Versus what you know
- Which to pick? Use なら when you pick up something the other person just said.
- Use たら when you are starting from your own situation.
Examples (उदाहरणहरू)
温泉なら、箱根が いいですよ。
おんせんなら、はこねが いいですよ。
If it's hot springs you want, Hakone is a good choice.
パソコンなら、あの 店が 安いです。
パソコンなら、あの みせが やすいです。
If it is a computer you want, that shop is cheap.
明日なら、時間が あります。
あしたなら、じかんが あります。
If it is tomorrow, I have time.
Knowledge check (मिनी ज्ञान जाँच)
「日本語の 本を 買いたいんですが。」— which answer fits?
💡 Hint: なら attaches straight to a noun.
No です or だ is needed — 本 + なら = 本なら.
A says 「新しい パソコンを 買いたいです。」— which reply from B fits best?
💡 Hint: Pick up the word the other person just said and give advice about it.
なら picks up the topic the other person just raised and gives advice about it — 「パソコンなら、あの 店が 安いですよ」. ば, と and たら link a condition to a result; they do not pick up a topic, so they do not make sense here.
「富士山に 登りたいです。」— which reply is correct?
💡 Hint: Which conditional attaches to a noun?
ば・たら・と do not attach to a noun. The conditional for a noun is なら.
Your score: /3