JLPT N1 Grammar
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If it were... but it's not; it might be okay for... but for...
Category: Evaluation and Standard
This grammar pattern is used to express a hypothetical or extreme case where a behavior might be acceptable, and then contrasts it with the current unacceptable situation. It is often used to emphasize the unacceptability of the current situation. The first part of the sentence sets up the hypothetical or extreme case, and the second part contrasts it with the current reality. This pattern is often used to express surprise, disapproval, or disappointment.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 動詞の普通形 | 名詞 + なら + いざしらず + 動詞の普通形 | 学生なら、大学生がこんな初歩的なミスをするなんて信じられない。 |
| 形容詞 | 名詞 + なら + いざしらず + 形容詞 | 安物なら、10万円もした時計がすぐに壊れるなんて腹が立つ。 |
| 動詞の否定形 | 名詞 + なら + いざしらず + 動詞の否定形 | 10年前なら、インターネットがこれほど普及した今ではそのやり方は古い。 |
小学生なら、大学生がこんな初歩的なミスをするなんて信じられない。
Shōgakusei nara, daigaku-sei ga sono hajimete no misu o suru nante shinjirarenai.
If I were a high school student, I wouldn't believe that a university student would make such a basic mistake.
小学生なら (if I were a high school student) + 大学生が (a university student) + こんな (such) + 初歩的な (basic) + ミスをする (make a mistake) + なんて (such that) + 信じられない (I wouldn't believe)
安物なら、10万円もした時計がすぐに壊れるなんて腹が立つ。
Yasui mono nara, 10-man-en mo shita tokei ga sugu ni kowareru nante hara ga tatsu.
If it were cheap, I would be angry that a watch that costs 10,000 yen would break so easily.
安物なら (if it were cheap) + 10万円もした (costs 10,000 yen) + 時計が (a watch) +すぐに (so easily) +壊れる (break) + なんて (such that) + 腹が立つ (I would be angry)
10年前なら、インターネットがこれほど普及した今ではそのやり方は古い。
10-nen mae nara, intānetto ga kore hodo fukatsugita imaj de wa sono yarikata wa furui.
If it were 10 years ago, I would say that the way of doing things is old-fashioned now that the internet has spread so widely.
10年前なら (if it were 10 years ago) + インターネットが (the internet has) + これほど (so widely) + 普及した (spread) + 今では (now that) + その (that) + やり方は (the way of doing things) + 古い (old-fashioned)
This pattern is used to express a hypothetical or extreme case where a behavior might be acceptable, and then contrasts it with the current unacceptable situation. It is often used to emphasize the unacceptability of the current situation. The first part of the sentence sets up the hypothetical or extreme case, and the second part contrasts it with the current reality.
Reversing the logic can change the meaning of the sentence and make it sound unnatural.
'Nara mada shimo' is used to express a comparison between two situations, while this pattern is used to express a hypothetical or extreme case.
Using the pattern with a simple 'if' clause without the contrast can make the sentence sound unnatural and unclear.
Pay attention to the contrast between the hypothetical or extreme case and the current reality. Make sure to use the correct verb forms and word order.
小学生______、大学生がこんな初歩的なミスをするなんて信じられない。
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