それなら

それなら
conjunction
if so; in that case; then
grammatical
1. if so; in that case; then
Used to introduce a response or suggestion based on what was just said; indicates a logical consequence or alternative.
それなら大丈夫(だいじょうぶ)だ。
In that case, it's fine.
それなら問題(もんだい)ないですね。
In that case, there's no problem.
時間(じかん)がないの？それなら手伝(てつだ)うよ。
You don't have time? Then I'll help you.
「明日(あした)は雨(あめ)らしい。」「それなら家(いえ)にいよう。」
"It looks like rain tomorrow." "In that case, let's stay home."
車(くるま)が使(つか)えないなら、それなら電車(でんしゃ)で行(い)くしかないですね。
If we can't use the car, then we have no choice but to go by train.

それなら is used to respond to something the other person just said, meaning 'if that's the case, then...' It shows the speaker has understood the situation and is proposing a next step, suggestion, or conclusion based on it.

Common patterns

Composed of それ (that) + なら (if/conditional). It always refers back to what was just stated, unlike もし which introduces hypothetical situations.

Register

  • それならば: more formal, written style
  • それなら: standard, neutral
  • それじゃ: more casual
  • だったら: casual conditional
  • じゃあ: very casual

Similar words

  • それでは: well then (slightly more formal, also used for farewells)
  • そうしたら: if that happens (focuses on sequence of events)
  • そういうことなら: if that's the situation (more emphatic acknowledgment)

Related Words

Compare: それでは (well then)
Compare: だとすると (if that is the case)
Compare: そうする (if that happens)
Compare: だとしたら (if that is so)
core
Added 2026.1.16 18:47 · Revised 2026.10.13 4:29
05500/05785_sorenara