GRAMMAR DETAIL
〜ものなら
Expresses a wish that the speaker would like fulfilled if something considered difficult were possible.
Examples
もし自由に空を飛べるものなら、遠い島へ行ってみたい。
If I could fly freely through the sky, I would like to visit a distant island.
Words used
もし若返れるものなら、もう一度学生になりたい。
If I could become young again, I would like to be a student once more.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure:
ものならafter a potential form supposes a possibility considered difficult and introduces a wish one would like to fulfill. - Basic usage:
もし若返れるものなら、もう一度学生になりたい。expresses the difficult-to-realize wish to become a student again if becoming young were possible.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- An action versus the possibility of doing it
飛べるものならuses飛べる, the potential of飛ぶ, to suppose being able to fly.飛ぶならtakes flying or an intention to fly as the condition, rather than foregrounding whether it is possible.
- Unlike a warning with you mono nara
行けるものなら行きたいexpresses a wish to go if possible. By contrast,遅刻しようものなら叱られるaddsものならto a volitional verb and warns of being scolded if one happens to be late.