〜なら: meaning and usage

How to form it

• verb (plain form)/い-adjective+（の）なら
• noun/な-adjective (stem)+なら

How it is used

“If that's the case”: picks up what the listener said or a situation and adds advice or an opinion. After a noun it can mean “speaking of”. Unlike 「〜たら」, the main clause may happen first.

Examples

1. アメリカへ行くつもりなら、英語をしっかりとやり直しなさい。

   If you are intending to go to America, brush up your English.

2. 駅へ行くなら、この道がいちばん近いですよ。

   If you're going to the station, this road is the shortest way.

3. 日本の料理なら、てんぷらがいちばん好きです。

   When it comes to Japanese food, I like tempura best.