1.
if; if so; in that case; provided that
A formal conditional conjunction meaning "if that is the case" or "provided that." More literary and emphatic than なら. Used to introduce a consequence or response based on a stated or implied condition.
Usage
A more formal and literary variant of なら (if). Attaches to the plain form of verbs and adjectives, and to nouns directly or with である for extra formality. Common in written Japanese, speeches, and formal conversation. In everyday speech, なら is preferred.
Common patterns
- それならば (if that is the case — common sentence opener)
- ～するならば (if one does ~)
- ～であるならば (if it is ~ — formal)
Similar words
なら is the casual, everyday form. もし～ならば adds emphasis ("if indeed"). ～のであれば is another formal conditional with a similar nuance.