Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
“If that’s the case,” “In that case,” “Then (based on that).”
🎯 Primary Function
To introduce a logical consequence, a suggestion, or a new course of action based on a preceding statement or situation.
📋 Grammar Structure
[Preceding clause (plain form: verb, i-adjective, na-adjective + だ, noun + だ)] + それなら + [Following clause]
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Can be used in formal settings, but the overall politeness depends on the tone of the following sentence and context.
Informal Situations
Very commonly used in casual conversations among friends and family.
Written Language
Frequently appears in informal written communication such as emails, messages, and blog posts. Less common in very formal academic or official documents.
Spoken Language
Extremely common in everyday spoken Japanese, used to link ideas smoothly.
💡 Common Applications
Making suggestions or proposals
Used to offer a suggestion or proposal that logically follows from the previous statement.
Example: A: 今日は雨が降っているね。(Kyou wa ame ga futte iru ne. – It’s raining today, isn’t it?)
B: それなら、映画でも見に行かない？(Sore nara, eiga demo mi ni ikanai? – In that case, why don’t we go see a movie or something?
Stating a logical conclusion
Used to state a conclusion or consequence that is derived from the preceding information.
Example: A: 電車が遅れているらしいよ。(Densha ga okurete iru rashii yo. – The train seems to be delayed.)
B: それなら、間に合わないかもしれないね。(Sore nara, maniawanai kamo shirenai ne. – If that’s the case, we might not make it in time.)
Responding to a problem or situation
Used to propose a solution or action in response to a stated problem or situation.
Example: A: お金が足りないんです。(Okane ga tarinai n desu. – I don’t have enough money.)
B: それなら、私が貸してあげましょうか。(Sore nara, watashi ga kashite agemashou ka. – If that’s the case, shall I lend you some?
Frequency
High. It is a very common and versatile expression in daily Japanese conversation.
Difficulty
Medium-low for N2. The basic meaning is straightforward, but understanding its subtle nuances compared to similar expressions requires practice.
Example Sentences
A: 明日は仕事が休みです。(Ashita wa shigoto ga yasumi desu. – Tomorrow is my day off from work.)
B: それなら、一緒にランチに行きませんか。(Sore nara, issho ni ranchi ni ikimasen ka. – In that case, why don’t we go for lunch together?)
A: Tomorrow is my day off from work.
B: In that case, why don’t we go for lunch together?
A: 宿題、もう終わったの？(Shukudai, mou owatta no? – Have you finished your homework already?)
B: うん、全部終わったよ。(Un, zenbu owatta yo. – Yeah, I finished everything.)
A: それなら、ゲームしてもいいよ。(Sore nara, geemu shite mo ii yo. – If that’s the case, you can play games.)
A: Have you finished your homework already?
B: Yeah, I finished everything.
A: If that’s the case, you can play games.
A: このパソコン、充電がすぐなくなるんです。(Kono pasokon, juuden ga sugu nakunaru n desu. – This laptop’s battery runs out quickly.)
B: それなら、新しいのを買った方がいいかもしれませんね。(Sore nara, atarashii no o katta hou ga ii kamo shiremasen ne. – If that’s the case, it might be better to buy a new one.)
A: This laptop’s battery runs out quickly.
B: If that’s the case, it might be better to buy a new one.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Reliance on preceding context
「それなら」 always refers back to the information or situation mentioned immediately before it. It cannot be used out of context.
Example: A: お財布を忘れました。(O-saifu o wasuremashita. – I forgot my wallet.)
B: それなら、私が払いますよ。(Sore nara, watashi ga haraimasu yo. – If that’s the case, I’ll pay.)
Implied suggestion or decision
Often, the phrase following 「それなら」 is a suggestion, a decision made, or a logical conclusion drawn from the preceding information.
Example: A: もう遅いから、帰るね。(Mou osoi kara, kaeru ne. – It’s late, so I’m heading home.)
B: それなら、また明日。(Sore nara, mata ashita. – If that’s the case, see you tomorrow.)
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ Using without clear preceding condition
✅ Ensure there is a clear statement or situation that 「それなら」 is reacting to.
「それなら」 is a reactive phrase. If there is no prior context, it can sound abrupt or unnatural.
❌ Confusing with simple sequence (それで)
✅ 「それで」 often implies “and then” or “because of that,” referring to a reason or a direct sequential action. 「それなら」 introduces a logical consequence or suggestion.
While both connect ideas, 「それで」 implies a direct cause-effect or chronological order, whereas 「それなら」 is about a conditional response or deduction.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: Neutral to slightly informal. The overall politeness is influenced by the politeness level of the sentence that follows 「それなら」.
Social Situations: Highly versatile and used in a wide range of social situations, from casual chats to more formal discussions where a logical follow-up is needed.
Regional Variations: Standard Japanese. No significant regional variations in usage or meaning.
🔍 Subtle Differences
それなら vs. なら
「なら」 is the shortened, more informal version of 「それなら」. 「それなら」 can sound slightly more emphatic or formal.
When to use: Use 「なら」 in very casual conversation. Use 「それなら」 when you want to add a bit more emphasis, or in slightly less informal contexts.
それなら vs. それだったら
「それだったら」 is often used similarly to 「それなら」 but can sometimes carry a stronger nuance of “if that were the case (hypothetically)” or “if you insist on that.”
When to use: Both are very close. 「それだったら」 can be used interchangeably in many cases, but it might be preferred when the preceding statement is more of a condition or a strong opinion you are reacting to.
それなら vs. そうしたら
「そうしたら」 typically connects actions in a chronological or cause-and-effect sequence (“and then,” “if/when that happens”). 「それなら」 is more about a logical conclusion or suggestion based on a preceding *situation* or *information*.
When to use: Use 「そうしたら」 when describing a sequence of events or actions. Use 「それなら」 when making a deduction or suggestion based on an existing state or information.
📝 Conjugation Notes
「それなら」 itself does not conjugate. It connects a preceding clause (which is typically in plain form) to a following clause.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
Pronounce “そ (so)” and “れ (re)” clearly, followed by “な (na)” and “ら (ra)”. The tone is generally flat or slightly descending, reflecting its function as a logical connector.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of 「それ (sore – that)」 as referring to the preceding statement, and 「なら (nara – if/then/in that case)」 as the conditional part. So, “if that is the case…”
Vocabulary List
雨が降る
ame ga furu
to rain
映画
eiga
movie
見に行く
mi ni iku
to go see
電車
densha
train
遅れる
okureru
to be late
間に合う
maniawanai
to be in time (negative)
お金
money
Kanji List
雨
ame
rain
映
ei
reflect, project
画
ga
picture
見
mi
see
行
i(ku)
go
電
den
electricity
車
sha
car
遅
oku(reru)
late
間
ma
interval, between
合
a(u)
fit, join
金
kane
money
Practice Exercises
Choose the best word to complete the sentence:
A: 喉が渇きました。(Nodo ga kawakimashita. – I’m thirsty.)
B: _____、何か飲み物でも買いに行きましょうか。(Nani ka nomimono demo kai ni ikimashou ka. – _____, shall we go buy something to drink?)
しかし
そして
それなら
だが
Which sentence correctly uses 「それなら」?
A. 私は学生です。それなら、毎日勉強します。
B. 明日は晴れるでしょう。それなら、洗濯物を取り込む必要がない。
C. 携帯をなくしたの？それなら、一緒に探そう。(Keitai o nakushita no? Sore nara, issho ni sagasou. – You lost your phone? In that case, let’s look for it together.)
D. この本は面白いです。それなら、買ってください。
A
B
C
D
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