それなら (if that is the case)

• Reading: それなら
• Romaji: sorenara
• Formation: (Condition stated)。それなら + Sentence (suggestion/response)

Meaning

A conjunction meaning 'if that is the case' or 'if so,' used to propose an action or make a suggestion based on information just received. It is more casual and directly responsive than それでは.

それなら responds to a specific piece of information and offers a suggestion, recommendation, or logical next step based on it. It combines それ (that) with なら (the conditional form of だ), literally 'if that is so.' It is always used reactively — the speaker has just heard something and responds with a proposal. For example, if someone says they are hungry, the natural response could be それならあのレストランに行こう (If that's the case, let's go to that restaurant). In casual speech, it can be shortened to simply なら. Unlike それでは, which can initiate transitions without specific prior information, それなら requires a clear condition or context to respond to.

Examples

1. 頭が痛いの？それなら薬を飲んだほうがいい。 You have a headache? If so, you should take some medicine.
2. 明日は休みです。それなら一緒に遊びませんか。 Tomorrow is a day off. If that's the case, shall we hang out together?
3. 電車がないの？それならタクシーで行こう。 There are no trains? If so, let's take a taxi.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, everyday

Tone: suggestive

Do Say

• 日本語が好きなの？それなら日本に留学したら？
• お腹がすいた？それなら近くのレストランに行こう。
• 明日は暇なの？それなら映画を見に行かない？

Don't Say

• それなら会議を始めましょう。(Without a preceding condition to respond to, use それでは for 'well then': それでは会議を始めましょう) → それでは会議を始めましょう。
• 明日は雨です。それなら困りますね。(それなら leads to a suggestion or action, not a passive reaction — pair it with an actionable response) → 明日は雨です。それなら傘を持っていこう。

Origin & History

Combines the demonstrative それ (that) with なら (the conditional form of だ), literally 'if that is so.' Used conversationally to respond with suggestions based on given information.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal