Today’s topic：～なら（potential expression）
Meaning of “～なら（potential expression）“
- You can use it when suggesting alternatives or ideas to the other person, saying “I don’t have what you want, but I have something similar to it” or “I cannot do what you want me to do, but I can do this instead.”
How to use “～なら（potential expression）”?
- Before “なら,” use a noun. After “なら,” use “しっています” (know), “わかります” (understand), or “～できます(the potential form of a verb). “
ex ）ラインなら知 っています。 I know his LINE contact.
15時なら来られます。 I can come at 3pm.
The Characters
John san
Born in America. He is studying Japanese at a Japanese school. He loves Japanese anime and food!
Yumi sensei
She is a Japanese teacher in John’s class. She loves sports and enjoys jogging on her days off.
John san, is something wrong? You seem a little down today…
Sensei, can I tell you something? Yesterday, while I was working part-time, my senior asked me if I knew the phone number of Tanaka san, who also works there.
Since I didn’t know his number, I said “I don’t know.”
I see…
When I finished work and was leaving, Tanaka san called me on LINE, a popular messaging and social media app in Japan, and we were talking.
At that time, my senior was staring at me with an angry expression. Did I do something wrong?
Oh, I see… Your senior probably wanted to talk to Tanaka san, and he could have used LINE instead of the phone.
Maybe he thought, “Why didn’t John san tell me Tanaka san’s contact information?” or something like that.
Oh, I just said I didn’t know the phone number…
In that situation, you could have said, “でんわばんごうは しりませんが、ラインなら しっていますよ(I don’t know the phone number, but I know his LINE contact.)”
“ラインなら“?
Yes. Well then, let’s study how to use “～なら” today.
What does “～なら（potential expression）” mean?
For example, let’s look at a scene like this.
Manager：田中さん、明日の昼、アルバイトに来ることができますか。
Tanaka san, can you come to work tomorrow afternoon?
Tanaka-san： すみません。明日の昼は大学の授業があるので…。15時なら来られますが…。
I’m sorry. I have a university class tomorrow afternoon… I can come at 3 pm though…
Can Tanaka san work tomorrow afternoon?
No, he said he can’t because he has a class.
I see. Why do you think the manager asked Tanaka san if he can work tomorrow afternoon?
Maybe there’s no one else who can work tomorrow afternoon, and the manager is in trouble.
That’s right! Tanaka san thinks the same way as John san.
So the manager asked if 3 pm would be okay to work. He said, “15じなら だいじょうぶです(I can come at 3 pm though) , so shall I come work part-time from 3:00 p.m.?”
I see…
It’s better to say, “I can’t do A, but I can do B” instead of just saying, “I can’t.” It gives a more helpful impression, right?
Yes, that’s true. I feel like I want to help the manager.
Exactly. Now, let’s summarize the meaning of “なら”.
Meaning of “～なら（potential expression）“
- You can use it when suggesting alternatives or ideas to the other person, saying “I don’t have what you want, but I have something similar to it” or “I cannot do what you want me to do, but I can do this instead.”
How to use “～なら（potential expression）“？
Oh, I see! I told my senior that I didn’t know Tanaka san’s phone number. But I know his LINE account. That’s why my senior got angry.
I should have said, “I don’t know his phone number, but ラインなら しっています(I know his LINE contact).”
Yes, that’s right.
Can I say, “でんわばんごうは しりません。でも、ラインの れんらくさきなら わかります(I don’t know his phone number, but I know his LINE contact)”?
Yes, that’s fine. “なら” is followed by a noun. So “ラインなら” or “ラインの れんらくさきなら” are both good.
And after “なら,” you can use “しっています” (know), “わかります” (understand), or “～できます(the potential form of a verb). “
How to use “～なら（potential expression）”?
- Before “なら,” use a noun. After “なら,” use “しっています” (know), “わかります” (understand), or “～できます(the potential form of a verb). “
ex ）ラインなら知 っています。 I know his LINE contact.
15時なら来られます。 I can come at 3pm.
Let’s practice in various situations. Please make sentences using “なら.”
OK, I’ll try!
Let’s Practice!
You don’t have a black ballpoint pen. You have a blue ballpoint pen.
Teacher ： 出席をとります。あ、ボールペンをわすれてしまいました。～さん、黒いボールペンをかしてくれませんか。
You： 先生 、（ ）なら、ありますが…。
Teacher ： ありがとうございます。青いボールペンでもだいじょうぶです。ちょっとかしてください。
Friend ：だれか、ギターをひける人はいませんか。
Everyone：……。
You：ギターはひけませんが、（ ）よ。
Manager：だれか、フランス語ができる人、いませんか。フランス語のメールが来たんですが、読めないんです。
You：フランス語…書くことはむずかしいですが、（ ）と思います。
Manager：あ、そうですか！じゃあ、～さん、おねがいします。ありがとうございます。
let’s think about it with John-san!
It’s done. What do you think?
Answers
You don’t have a black ballpoint pen. You have a blue ballpoint pen.
Teacher ： 出席をとります。あ、ボールペンをわすれてしまいました。～さん、黒いボールペンをかしてくれませんか。
I’m taking attendance. Oh, I forgot my ballpoint pen. Can you lend me a black ballpoint pen?
You： 先生 、（ 青いボールペン ）なら、ありますが…。
Sensei, if you don’t mind a blue one, I have one…
Teacher ： ありがとうございます。青いボールペンでもだいじょうぶです。ちょっとかしてください。
Thank you. A blue ballpoint pen is fine. Can you lend it to me for a moment?
Friend ：だれか、ギターをひける人はいませんか。
Does anyone know how to play the guitar?
Everyone：……。
You：ギターはひけませんが、（ ピアノならひけます／クリスマスの歌なら歌えます ）よ。
I don’t know how to play the guitar, but I can play the piano/sing Christmas songs!
Manager：だれか、フランス語ができる人、いませんか。フランス語のメールが来たんですが、読めないんです。
Does anyone here speak French? We received an email in French, but I can’t read it.
You：フランス語…書くことはむずかしいですが、（ 読むことならできる ）と思います。
French… I find writing difficult, but I can read it if necessary.
Manager：あ、そうですか！じゃあ、～さん、おねがいします。ありがとうございます。
Oh, I see. Then, could you please take a look at it? Thank you very much.
Great! You understood how to use “なら” well!
(Stomach grumbles)…Oh! Excuse me, my stomach is…
Sensei, are you hungry? Haven’t you had lunch yet?
Yes, I was a little busy today, so I didn’t have time to eat during lunch break.
Um…wait a moment, teacher. There’s something in my bag…Oh, here it is!
Here, sensei, バナナなら ありますよ(I have a banana)! Please feel free to eat it!
Thank you, John san! I appreciate it!
Vocabularies from this article
| 先輩 | senpai | senior |
| 電話番号 | denwa bangoo | phone number |
| おこる | okoru | get angry |
| 連絡先 | renrakusaki | contact information |
| 大学 | daigaku | university |
| 授業 | jugyoo | class/lesson |
| こまる | komaru | be in trouble |
| てつだう | tetsudau | help |
| かわりに | kawari ni | instead of |
| 出席 | syusseki | attendance |
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