それならIf so; in that case
それなら accepts something already said or understood as a condition and introduces the speaker’s response: a decision, suggestion, offer, conclusion, or next step.
Treating what was said as a condition
The key idea is not simply cause and effect. The speaker takes the previous information to mean “if that is the situation” and then chooses or presents an appropriate response. The first part may come from another speaker, or it may be the speaker’s own judgment about the situation.
Making a decision
明日の会議はオンラインになりました。
Tomorrow’s meeting has been moved online.
Analyzeそれなら、家から参加します。
In that case, I’ll join from home.
AnalyzeSpeaker B accepts the new meeting arrangement and decides what to do.
Making a suggestion
駅前の店は今日は休みだって。
I heard the place by the station is closed today.
Analyzeそれなら、別の店を探そう。
Then let’s look for somewhere else.
AnalyzeThe casual suggestion follows naturally from the information just given.
Responding to your own judgment
もう受付時間は過ぎている。それなら、明日の朝に電話しよう。
The reception desk is already closed. In that case, I’ll call tomorrow morning.
AnalyzeThe first sentence is the speaker’s assessment of the situation; the second gives the resulting plan.
Common register choices
Swipe sideways to compare every column.
| Form | Usual tone |
|---|---|
| それでは | More formal or careful |
| それなら | Neutral and conversational |
| それじゃ | Casual conversation |
All three can introduce a response to the situation, but the level of formality differs.
Condition, reason, or ensuing result?
それなら treats the previous information as an accepted condition for the speaker’s response. だから instead presents that information as a reason supporting a conclusion. すると and そうすると commonly introduce an event or inference that follows, without necessarily expressing a chosen response. Forms such as としたら attach directly to the statement being assumed, whereas それなら refers back to a statement already available in the context.
More examples
その時間なら空いています。それなら、三時に伺います。
I’m free at that time. In that case, I’ll come at three.
Analyze資料はメールで送れるそうです。それなら、印刷しなくても大丈夫ですね。
Apparently the materials can be sent by email. If so, we do not need to print them.
Analyze田中さんは午後なら会えるそうです。それなら、昼食の後で訪ねましょう。
Apparently Mr. Tanaka can meet in the afternoon. In that case, let’s visit after lunch.
Analyzeこの道は工事中で通れません。それなら、川沿いの道を行きます。
This road is closed for construction. In that case, I’ll take the road along the river.
Analyze締め切りが一週間延びました。それなら、図表も見直せます。
The deadline has been extended by a week. If so, we can revise the charts as well.
Analyze最終便にはまだ席があります。それなら、今すぐ予約してください。
There are still seats on the last flight. In that case, please book one right away.
Analyze