Japanese grammar
What does ～が～なら、～も～だ mean? Japanese grammar N1
～が～なら、～も～だ means like… like…; both are equally terrible.
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N1 |
|---|---|
| Structure | N + が + N + なら、N + も + N + だ |
| Romaji | ga nara, mo da |
| Meaning | like… like…; both are equally terrible |
Forming it
| Noun (place) | 店 + が + 店 + なら、客 + も + 客 + だ |
|---|---|
| Noun (person) | 親 + が + 親 + なら、子 + も + 子 + だ |
How to use it
Repeats the same noun twice to CRITICIZE: one side is bad, and the other is just as bad. Colloquial, critical.
- 「AがAなら、BもBだ」 repeats the same noun to imply "A is exactly the (bad) kind of A it is, and B is just as much the (bad) kind of B it is". It CRITICIZES both.
- The repeated noun does NOT carry its literal meaning but an implied negative judgment.
- Close to 「AもAなら、BもBだ」 (N1-095); the 「が」 version emphasizes a causal/knock-on relationship (because A is like that, B is too).
Examples
親が親なら、子も子だ。
Like parent, like child — and neither is any good.
店が店なら、客も客だ。
The shop is bad, and so are its customers.
Keep in mind
- Must repeat the EXACT SAME noun.
- Always carries a critical tone — not used for praise.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong親が親なら、子はいい子だ。
If the parents are proper parents, the child is a good kid.
Correct親が親なら、子も子だ。
This pattern CRITICIZES both clauses; the following clause must repeat the noun in the same critical tone, not praise it.
-
Wrong親がいい親なら、子もいい子になる。
If the parents are good parents, the child will turn out to be a good kid too.
Correct親が親なら、子も子だ。
Adding an adjective turns it into an ordinary conditional sentence ("if...then..."), losing the pattern's critical meaning entirely.
Exam tips
- 「AがAなら、BもBだ」 = criticizes both (repeated noun); not used for praise.