Can I use なら to say “if”?

Yes, but only for limited “if it’s the case of…” usage. For broader conditionals, you’ll learn other forms like たら and ば later.

Can I use なら in polite situations? Are there even more polite ways to say it?

Yes, using Noun + なら followed by a polite sentence ending (like です/ます) is generally polite and acceptable in many situations. However, in very formal contexts (such as a job interview or when speaking to someone of much higher status), a more polite option is to use 〜でしたら (〜deshitara) after the noun instead of 〜なら. Example (Job Interview): A: 何か外国語を話せますか？ (Nani ka gaikokugo o hanasemasu ka?) = Can you speak any foreign languages? B: はい、英語でしたら話せます。(Hai, Eigo deshitara hanasemasu.) = Yes, if it is English, I can speak it. (More polite than 英語なら話せます)

Does 「なら」 have other uses besides the Noun + なら pattern explained in this article?

Yes. This article focuses on the use of 「なら」 directly after a noun to indicate contrast, limitation, or response to a topic. However, 「なら」 is also a conditional particle that can follow the short form of verbs and adjectives to express a conditional meaning similar to "if that is the case" or "if ~ happens." This is a different grammatical pattern. Example (Conditional Use): 雨が降るなら、傘を持っていきます。(Ame ga furu nara, kasa o motte ikimasu.) = If it rains, I will bring an umbrella. 忙しいなら、明日でもいいですよ。(Isogashii nara, ashita demo ii desu yo.) = If you are busy, tomorrow is fine too. Note: The conditional use with verbs/adjectives has its own rules and nuances.

How to Say “When It Comes to” in Japanese | Using Noun + nara（〜なら）

contents

Introduction
1. Grammar Structure
2. What Is なら Used For?
3. Example Sentences
4. Practice Time!
5. Common Mistakes to Avoid
6. FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
7. Conclusion
- Want to improve your Japanese with real conversations?

Introduction

Want to say things like:

“As for sushi, I like it”?
“When it comes to weekends, I’m free”?
“I can’t play piano, but I can play guitar”?

In Japanese, you can express these ideas using the grammar pattern:

Noun + なら
= “When it comes to ~” / “As for ~” / “If it’s ~”

This form is very useful when comparing, limiting, or emphasizing specific topics.

1. Grammar Structure

Pattern: Noun + なら

English	Japanese
I don’t like natto, but if it’s sushi, I like it.	なっとうはきらいですが、すしなら好すきです。
I can’t play piano, but I can play guitar.	ピアノは弾ひけません。でもギターなら弾けます。
As for weekends, I’m free.	週末しゅうまつならひまです。

2. What Is なら Used For?

✅ Highlighting a specific condition or case
✅ Limiting a statement to one topic
✅ Making comparisons or contrasts
✅ Giving information based on someone else’s topic

A なら limits what you say to A; Your statement applies only to A, and not to the other things. It brings out only A and excludes all other things, similar to “when it comes to” or “in the case of” in English.

3. Example Sentences

Ken

なにか外国語がいこくごを話はなせますか。
Can you speak any foreign languages?

Yumi

英語えいごは苦手にがてですが、中国語ちゅうごくごなら得意とくいです。
I’m not good at English, but when it comes to Chinese, I’m confident.

Yumi

あなたはどうですか。
How about you?

Ken

スペイン語ごなら少すこし話はなせます。
I can speak a little Spanish (but not other languages).

Koki

どこかおいしいレストランを知しっていますか。
Do you know any good restaurant?

Saori

いい韓国料理かんこくりょうりレストランなら知しっていますよ。
I do know some good Korean food restaurants
(though I’m not sure about other types of food).

Yumi

来週らいしゅう、ゼミのみんなで打うち上あげに行いこうと思おもいます。
I’m thinking we should have a get-together with the seminar group next week.

Ken

平日へいじつはちょっと・・・週末しゅうまつなら暇ひまです。
Weekdays are kinda hard… but I’m free on the weekend.

4. Practice Time!

Rewrite these using なら:

Original	With なら
ポルトガル語ごが話はなせます。 I can speak Portuguese.	ポルトガル語なら話せます。 If it’s Portuguese, I can speak it.
猫ねこを飼かっています。 I have a cat.	猫なら飼っています。 If it’s a cat, I have one.
週末しゅうまつはひまです。 I’m free on the weekend.	週末ならひまです。 If it’s the weekend, I’m free.
カレーが好すきです。 I like curry.	カレーなら好きです。 If it’s curry, I like it.
中国ちゅうごくに行いったことがあります。 I’ve been to China.	中国なら行ったことがあります。 If it’s China, I’ve been there.

5. Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Wrong	✅ Correct
ギターがひけます、ピアノならひけます。 I can play guitar, I can play piano.	ピアノはひけません。でもギターならひけます。 I can’t play piano, but I can play guitar.

💡 Use なら to clearly express contrast or limitation.

6. FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Q Can I use なら to say “if”?: A
Yes, but only for limited “if it’s the case of…” usage. For broader conditionals, you’ll learn other forms like たら and ば later.

Q Can I use なら in polite situations? Are there even more polite ways to say it?: A
Yes, using Noun + なら followed by a polite sentence ending (like です/ます) is generally polite and acceptable in many situations. However, in very formal contexts (such as a job interview or when speaking to someone of much higher status), a more polite option is to use 〜でしたら (〜deshitara) after the noun instead of 〜なら.
Example (Job Interview):
A: 何か外国語を話せますか？ (Nani ka gaikokugo o hanasemasu ka?) = Can you speak any foreign languages?
B: はい、英語でしたら話せます。(Hai, Eigo deshitara hanasemasu.) = Yes, if it is English, I can speak it. (More polite than 英語なら話せます)

Q Does 「なら」 have other uses besides the Noun + なら pattern explained in this article?: A
Yes. This article focuses on the use of 「なら」 directly after a noun to indicate contrast, limitation, or response to a topic. However, 「なら」 is also a conditional particle that can follow the short form of verbs and adjectives to express a conditional meaning similar to “if that is the case” or “if ~ happens.” This is a different grammatical pattern.
Example (Conditional Use):
雨が降るなら、傘を持っていきます。(Ame ga furu nara, kasa o motte ikimasu.) = If it rains, I will bring an umbrella.
忙しいなら、明日でもいいですよ。(Isogashii nara, ashita demo ii desu yo.) = If you are busy, tomorrow is fine too.
Note: The conditional use with verbs/adjectives has its own rules and nuances.

7. Conclusion

Now you can:

✅ Use Noun + なら to say “When it comes to ~”
✅ Make contrasts and focus on limited topics
✅ Express preferences and conditional info naturally

🎯 Try this:
Make 3 sentences using なら to show your likes, abilities, or experiences!

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