「ようなら」- Hypothetical Condition

Explanation

〜ようなら is a Japanese grammatical structure used to express hypothetical conditions, meaning "if... then...". This grammar pattern is used to indicate actions or attitudes that would be taken if a certain condition is met.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Verb dictionary form + ようなら	Verb dictionary form	Expresses a hypothetical condition, followed by an action or attitude.
Verb negative form + ないようなら	Verb negative form	Expresses a hypothetical condition, followed by an action or attitude.
Noun + の + ようなら	Noun	Expresses a hypothetical condition, followed by an action or attitude.
Adjective + ようなら	Adjective	Expresses a hypothetical condition, followed by an action or attitude.
Na-adjective stem + な + ようなら	Na-adjective stem	Expresses a hypothetical condition, followed by an action or attitude.

Basic Usage

〜ようなら is used to express hypothetical conditions, indicating how to handle a situation or suggesting actions to take. Compared to なら, ようなら emphasizes the hypothetical nature of the situation, often with an observational or speculative tone.

Examples

• 先せんの説明せつめいをわかりにくいわかりにくいようなら、先生せんせいに聞きいてみたらいいです。
• Saki no setsumei o wakarinikui younara, sensei ni kiite mitara ii desu.
• If you find the previous explanation difficult to understand, you can ask the teacher.
  

• 明日あしたも熱ねつが下さがらないようなら、病院びょういんに行いこうと思おもう。
• Ashita mo netsu ga sagaranai younara, byouin ni ikou to omou.
• If the fever doesn't go down by tomorrow, I think I'll go to the hospital.
  

• このこの化粧水けしょうすいが肌はだに合あうようなら、定期的ていきてきに購入こうにゅうしたい。
• Kono keshousui ga hada ni au younara, teikiteki ni kounyuu shitai.
• If this toner suits my skin, I'd like to buy it regularly.
  

• 一人ひとりで運はこべないようなら、私わたしが手伝てつだおうか。
• Hitori de hakobenai younara, watashi ga tetsudaou ka.
• If you can't carry it alone, shall I help you?
  

Deep Dive

Usage and Nuances

Both 〜ようなら and 〜なら express hypothetical conditions, but 〜ようなら emphasizes the speculative and observational nature of the condition. In other words, 〜ようなら carries a sense of "if it turns out to be the case," while 〜なら is more direct, emphasizing the premise of the condition.

Example Comparison

• 彼かれが行いかないようなら、僕ぼくも行いかない。
• Kare ga ikanai younara, boku mo ikanai.
• If it turns out he's not going, I won't go either. (Speculative)
  

• 彼かれが行いかないなら、僕ぼくも行いかない。
• Kare ga ikanai nara, boku mo ikanai.
• If he's not going, I won't go either. (Premise)
  

Comparison and Differences

〜ようなら and 〜ようだと

• 〜ようだと cannot be followed by volitional or imperative expressions, while 〜ようなら has no such restriction and can be used for suggestions, commands, etc.

Expression	Usage	Example	English Translation
〜ようだと	Hypothetical condition, cannot be followed by volitional or imperative expressions	無理むりなようだと、構かまいません。（Incorrect）	If it seems impossible, it's fine. (Incorrect)
〜ようなら	Hypothetical condition, can be followed by volitional or imperative expressions	無理むりなようなら、構かまいません。（Correct）	If it seems impossible, it's fine. (Correct)

〜ようなら and 〜なら

• 〜ようなら is more speculative and observational, while 〜なら is more direct and emphasizes the premise of the condition.

Expression	Usage	Example	English Translation
〜ようなら	Speculative and observational	彼かれが行いかないようなら、僕ぼくも行いかない。	If it turns out he's not going, I won't go either.
〜なら	Premise	彼かれが行いかないなら、僕ぼくも行いかない。	If he's not going, I won't go either.

Real-Life Scenarios

• In everyday conversations, 〜ようなら can be used to make suggestions or ask for opinions.
• In work settings, it can be used to discuss the feasibility of plans.

Summary

〜ようなら is a commonly used Japanese expression for hypothetical conditions, often used to give advice or express opinions based on certain situations. Understanding its usage and differences from similar grammar points helps in accurately expressing and comprehending hypothetical conditions in Japanese.