Meaning
Introduces advice or a conclusion based on a stated situation or topic.
Formation
- Plain form or noun + なら: 京都へ行くなら, 分からないなら
- It picks up what the other person just said, so it never opens a conversation
When to use it
- Core use
- If that is the case
Example
京都へ行くなら秋がいいです
If you are going to Kyoto, autumn is best.
Important notes
- Pay attention to the word form before the construction and to the particles around it.
Common mistakes
- Do not translate the pattern word for word; first identify its function in the whole situation.