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JLPT N4 grammar comparison

〜なら (conditional) "if it's the case that / as for" vs Conditional comparison table (と / ば / たら / なら)

By Nihongo PathUpdated

The difference

From the 〜なら (conditional) "if it's the case that / as for" lesson

Conditional comparison table (と / ば / たら / なら): See the four conditionals side by side.

From the Conditional comparison table (と / ば / たら / なら) lesson

〜なら (conditional) "if it's the case that / as for": Full lesson on the topic/advice conditional.

Side by side

〜なら (conditional) "if it's the case that / as for"

nara (jouken) · JLPT N4

Meaning
Takes up what the listener said or a topic and gives advice or a reaction: "if (you say) X, then…"
Formation
Noun + なら: 北海道なら, 田中さんならな-adjective + なら: 静かなら, 好きならVerb plain form + (の)なら: 行くなら, 行かないなら, 行ったならい-adjective + (の)なら: 高いならMain clause: advice, opinion, request, decision; may precede the condition in time

  1. 日本語を勉強するなら、この本がいいですよ。

    にほんごを べんきょうするなら、この ほんが いいですよ。

    If you're going to study Japanese, this book is good.

  2. 北海道なら、冬が一番きれいです。

    ほっかいどうなら、ふゆが いちばん きれいです。

    If it's Hokkaido, winter is the most beautiful.

Full lesson on 〜なら (conditional) "if it's the case that / as for"

Conditional comparison table (と / ば / たら / なら)

to / ba / tara / nara hikaku · JLPT N4

Meaning
Summary of when each conditional is used — a frequent N4 test focus.
Formation
と: plain non-past + と (押すと, 雨だと)ば: ば-form (押せば, 高ければ, 静かなら)たら: た-form + ら (押したら, 高かったら, 雨だったら)なら: plain form / noun + なら (押すなら, 雨なら)

  1. 春になると暖かくなる。

    はるに なると あたたかく なる。

    When spring comes it gets warm. (natural result → と)

  2. 駅に着いたら電話して。

    えきに ついたら でんわして。

    Call me when you get to the station. (request → たら)

Full lesson on Conditional comparison table (と / ば / たら / なら)

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between 〜なら (conditional) "if it's the case that / as for" and Conditional comparison table (と / ば / たら / なら)?

See the four conditionals side by side.

When do you use Conditional comparison table (と / ば / たら / なら) instead of 〜なら (conditional) "if it's the case that / as for"?

Full lesson on the topic/advice conditional.