Japanese grammar
What does もし～たなら mean? Japanese grammar N3
もし～たなら means if (hypothetically) ~ had happened, then ~.
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N3 |
|---|---|
| Structure | もし + Vた + なら もし + い形（かった）+ なら もし + N／な形 + だった + なら |
| Romaji | moshi tanara |
| Meaning | if (hypothetically) ~ had happened, then ~ |
Forming it
| Verb | 降った → もし雨が降ったなら |
|---|---|
| Adjective | なかった → もしおいしくなかったなら |
How to use it
A hypothesis about something that has ALREADY been completed, before discussing the consequence. 「もし」 signals in advance that this is hypothetical.
- 「たなら」 = if it's the case that... has already happened: 「もし雨が降ったなら、傘を持って行きましょう」 — discusses what to do AFTER A has already occurred.
- Different from 「たら」 in that 「なら」 takes what the other person just said as its premise: 「行くなら、私も行く」 (if (you say) you're going, then I'll go too).
- 「もし」 is just a marker of hypothesis and can be omitted — but including it lets the listener know right away that the following clause isn't certain to happen.
Examples
もし雨が降ったなら、傘を持って行きましょう。
If it has rained, let us take umbrellas.
もしケーキがおいしくなかったなら、誰も食べないでしょう。
If the cake was not tasty, probably no one would eat it.
Keep in mind
- 「もし」 is placed at the start of the sentence, not in the middle.
- The following clause is usually a suggestion or a judgment.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong雨が降ったならもし、傘を持って行きます。
If it rains, I'll bring an umbrella.
Correctもし雨が降ったなら、傘を持って行きます。
「もし」 must be at the start of the conditional clause.
-
Wrongもし春になったなら、桜が咲きます。
Whenever spring comes, the cherry blossoms bloom.
Correct春になると、桜が咲きます。
For something that reliably happens as a rule, use 「と」, not the hypothetical 「もし」.
Exam tips
- 「もし～たなら」 = if it's the case that... has happened; 「もし」 opens the clause, not used for general rules.