"___なら、___"

The Japanese grammar pattern "なら" is used similarly to "なければ" but serves as a conditional marker in positive contexts, generally translating to "if" or "in the case that." The structure emphasizes a hypothetical situation where the first part ("___なら") sets up a condition, and the second part provides the response or consequence if that condition is true.

Explanation of "なら、"

• Formation: Place "なら" after a noun, adjective, or verb to establish a conditional premise. It signals a response based on the hypothetical situation mentioned.
• Usage: "なら" is versatile and is often used in casual speech to give advice, suggest a course of action, or state the result based on the assumption that the condition in the first clause is true.

For example:

• お金があるなら、旅行に行こう ("okane ga aru nara, ryokou ni ikou") — "If (you have) money, let's go on a trip."
• 行くなら、一緒に行きましょう ("iku nara, issho ni ikimashou") — "If (you’re) going, let’s go together."
  

Examples:

ひま なら、　手伝って　ください。

If (you are) free, then please help.

この　くつ　を　あなた　に　合わ なら、　買って　ください。

If these shoes fit you, then please buy (them).

Questions:

1. Translate and complete:

• • You are going to the supermarket. Write a sentence using "なら" to say, "If you're going to the supermarket, please buy milk."

2. Fill in the blank:

• • 天気がいい____、ピクニックに行きましょう。
  • (Translate and complete the sentence: "If the weather is good, let's go on a picnic.")

3. Create a response:

• • Your friend says, "映画 (えいが, movie) に行きたい" ("I want to go to the movies"). Use "なら" to respond, suggesting that you both go together.

4. Translate and apply context:

• • How would you say, "If you have free time, let's study together," using "なら"?

5. Make a suggestion:

• • Imagine your friend says they have a test tomorrow. Write a sentence using "なら" to suggest, "If you have a test tomorrow, you should study tonight."

1. Answer:

• • スーパーに行くなら、牛乳を買ってください。
  • Suupaa ni iku nara, gyuunyuu o katte kudasai.
  • ("If you're going to the supermarket, please buy milk.")

2. Answer:

• • 天気がいいなら、ピクニックに行きましょう。
  • Tenki ga ii nara, pikunikku ni ikimashou.
  • ("If the weather is good, let's go on a picnic.")

3. Answer:

• • 映画に行きたいなら、一緒に行きましょう。
  • Eiga ni ikitai nara, issho ni ikimashou.
  • ("If you want to go to the movies, let's go together.")

4. Answer:

• • 暇があるなら、一緒に勉強しましょう。
  • Hima ga aru nara, issho ni benkyou shimashou.
  • ("If you have free time, let's study together.")

5. Answer:

• • 明日テストがあるなら、今夜勉強したほうがいいよ。
  • Ashita tesuto ga aru nara, kon'ya benkyou shita hou ga ii yo.
  • ("If you have a test tomorrow, you should study tonight.")