If I could (Impossible Wish) (~mono nara)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use ~mono nara to express a deep, often impossible, desire or a hypothetical situation that is contrary to reality.
- Attach to the dictionary form of a verb: {行く|いく}ものなら
- Use for situations that are unlikely or impossible to happen.
- Often implies a sense of regret or longing for a different outcome.
Overview
In Japanese, standard conditionals like ~たら (-tara) or ~ば (-ba) handle realistic 'if-then' scenarios. The grammar pattern 〜ものなら (-mono nara), however, operates in a different, more emotional dimension. It's used to discuss a hypothetical situation that the speaker perceives as impossible, highly improbable, or fantastical.
It doesn't just mean 'if'; it means 'if I could...' or 'if it were at all possible...', with the strong implication that it's not.
At its heart, 〜ものなら is about ability. It attaches to a verb's Potential Form to frame a condition around the capacity to perform an action, rather than the action itself. This structure serves two primary, powerful functions: expressing a deep, often regretful wish for an unattainable outcome, or issuing a challenge that dares someone to attempt something the speaker believes they cannot do.
For a B2 learner, mastering 〜ものなら is a gateway to expressing nuanced feelings of longing, frustration, and defiance that are central to natural, emotive Japanese.
How This Grammar Works
〜ものなら is derived directly from its three components: a potential verb, the nominalizer もの (mono), and the conditional particle なら (nara). Understanding each part's contribution is key to grasping the grammar's deep-seated nuance.- 1[Verb in Potential Form]: The Core of 'Ability'. The structure is built upon the Potential Form (
〜れる/〜られる). This is the most critical element. It shifts the entire focus from an event happening (e.g.,雨が降る- it rains) to someone's ability to make it happen (e.g.,戻れる- can return). By starting with 'can X,' you are already in the realm of capability and feasibility, not just facts. - 2
もの(mono): Nominalizing the Possibility. Here,ものfunctions as a nominalizer, but it does more than just turn the verb phrase into a noun. It reifies the potential action, turning 'being able to do X' into a tangible concept or a 'state of affairs.' So,戻れるもの(modoreru mono) is not just 'a thing that can return,' but 'the very possibility/matter of being able to return.' This is a subtle but crucial distinction that sets the stage for a hypothetical discussion. - 3
なら(nara): The Conditional Frame. The particleならtakes a topic or concept (in this case, theものphrase) and uses it to set a conditional boundary. Its meaning is close to, 'if that's the case...' or 'speaking of which...' When you combine it,[V-Potential + もの] + なら, the full meaning emerges: 'If the possibility of being able to [Verb] were the case...' This phrasing inherently signals that the speaker is considering a scenario contrary-to-fact or reality. The condition isn't a simple 'if,' but a commentary on the (un)likelihood of the 'possibility' itself.
人生をやり直せるものなら (jinsei o yarinaoseru mono nara), the literal breakdown is: 'If the matter of being able to redo one's life were a real possibility (which we both know it isn't)...' This underlying acknowledgment of impossibility is what imbues the pattern with its characteristic tone of longing or challenge.Formation Pattern
[Verb (Potential Form)] + ものなら / もんなら
ものなら (mono nara) directly to the end.
ものなら is often contracted to もんなら (monnara).
Conjugation Table
| Verb Type | Dictionary Form | Potential Form | Potential + ものなら |
Casual Form | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | ||||||
| Group 1 | `{買 | か}う (kau`) |
`{買 | か}える (kaeru`) |
`{買 | か}えるものなら (kaeru mono nara`) |
`{買 | か}えるもんなら` | ||
(godan) |
`{話 | はな}す (hanasu`) |
`{話 | はな}せる (hanaseru`) |
`{話 | はな}せるものなら (hanaseru mono nara`) |
`{話 | はな}せるもんなら` | ||
| `{待 | ま}つ (matsu`) |
`{待 | ま}てる (materu`) |
`{待 | ま}てるものなら (materu mono nara`) |
`{待 | ま}てるもんなら` | |||
| Group 2 | `{諦 | あきら}める (akirameru`) |
`{諦 | あきら}められる (akiramerareru`) |
`{諦 | あきら}められるものなら (akiramerareru mono nara`) |
`{諦 | あきら}められるもんなら` | ||
(ichidan) |
`{寝 | ね}る (neru`) |
`{寝 | ね}られる (nerareru`) |
`{寝 | ね}られるものなら (nerareru mono nara`) |
`{寝 | ね}られるもんなら` | ||
| Irregular | する (suru) |
できる (dekiru) |
できるものなら (dekiru mono nara) |
できるもんなら |
||||||
| `{来 | く}る (kuru`) |
`{来 | こ}られる (korareru`) |
`{来 | こ}られるものなら (korareru mono nara`) |
`{来 | こ}られるもんなら` | |||
- i-Adjective: `{若 |
わか}い (wakai) -> {若 |
わか}くなる (wakaku naru) -> {若 |
わか}くなれる (wakaku nareru) -> **`{若 |
わか}くなれるものなら`** (If I could become young) | ||||||
- na-Adjective: `{静 |
しず}か (shizuka) -> {静 |
しず}かになる (shizuka ni naru) -> {静 |
しず}かになれる (shizuka ni nareru) -> **{静 |
しず}かになれるものなら`** (If I could become quiet) |
When To Use It
〜ものなら in specific situations where you need to highlight the gap between a desired ability and the reality of its impossibility.- 1To Express Impossible Wishes and Deep Regret:
〜たい (-tai).あの頃に戻れるものなら、何でもする。(Ano koro ni modoreru mono nara, nandemo suru.) - 'If I could go back to those days, I'd do anything.'病気の母と代われるものなら、代わってあげたい。(Byōki no haha to kawareru mono nara, kawatte agetai.) - 'If I could trade places with my sick mother, I would want to.'
- 1To Issue a Challenge or Dare ('If You Can, Then Try'):
〜てみろ) or suggestion (〜てみてください).そんなことが一人でできるものなら、やってみろ。(Sonna koto ga hitori de dekiru mono nara, yatte miro.) - 'If you can do something like that by yourself, then go ahead and try!' (Implies: I doubt you can.)この問題が解けるもんなら、解いてみろよ。(Kono mondai ga tokeru monnara, toite miro yo.) - 'If you can solve this problem, then solve it!' (A casual dare among friends.)
- 1To Hypothesize About Fantastical Abilities:
空を飛べるものなら、まずはどこへ行きたい？(Sora o toberu mono nara, mazu wa doko e ikitai?) - 'If you could fly, where would you want to go first?'過去に行けるものなら、恐竜を見てみたい。(Kako ni ikeru mono nara, kyōryū o mite mitai.) - 'If I could go to the past, I'd want to see the dinosaurs.'
When Not To Use It
〜ものなら can make your Japanese sound unnatural or unintentionally aggressive. Avoid it in the following contexts.- 1For Realistic, Achievable Conditions:
〜たら, 〜ば, 〜なら, or 〜と.- Incorrect: ❌
明日、時間が作れるものなら、映画を見に行こう。(Ashita, jikan ga tsukureru mono nara, eiga o mi ni ikō.) - Correct: ✅
明日、時間が作れたら、映画を見に行こう。(Ashita, jikan ga tsukuretara, eiga o mi ni ikō.) - 'If I can make time tomorrow, let's go see a movie.'
- 1In Formal or Objective Writing:
〜ものなら makes it inappropriate for academic papers, business reports, or news articles. Its purpose is to convey personal feeling, not objective facts.- 1When the Condition is a State, Not a Potential Action:
だ/です), other patterns like 〜（だ）としたら are correct.- Incorrect: ❌
私が社長であるものなら、給料を上げる。(Watashi ga shachō de aru mono nara...) - Correct: ✅
私が社長だとしたら、給料を上げる。(Watashi ga shachō da to shitara, kyūryō o ageru.) - 'If I were the president, I would raise salaries.'
Common Mistakes
[V-Dictionary Form] + ものなら TrapV-Potential + ものなら | If I could do X... (longing) | 休めるものなら、休みたい。 (If I could take a break, I'd want to.) |V-Dictionary + ものなら | If you dare to do X... (warning) | 休むものなら、覚えておけ。 (If you dare to take a break, you'll regret it.) |V-るものなら pattern is often followed by a negative outcome, while V-れるものなら is followed by a desire.〜たい or 〜たらいい（のにな） are far more natural. Use 〜ものなら only when the barrier feels genuinely insurmountable.- (At a restaurant):
ケーキが食べたい。(I want to eat cake.) - Natural. - (On a diet, staring at cake):
ケーキが食べられるものなら、今すぐにでも食べたい。(If I could eat cake, I'd eat it right this second.) - Expresses the frustration of not being able to.
Real Conversations
You'll encounter 〜ものなら (and especially 〜もんなら) frequently in informal, emotional contexts where people are being candid about their feelings.
- On Social Media (commenting on a throwback photo):
うわー、懐かしい！この時代に戻れるもんなら戻りたいなー。
(Uwā, natsukashii! Kono jidai ni modoreru monnara modoritai nā.) - 'Whoa, nostalgic! If I could go back to this era, I'd love to.'
- In Manga/Anime (a rival's challenge):
俺に勝てるもんなら、かかってこい！
(Ore ni kateru monnara, kakatte koi!) - 'If you think you can beat me, bring it on!'
- Venting to a Friend via Text:
もう無理。仕事辞められるもんなら、明日にでも辞めたい。
(Mō muri. Shigoto yamerareru monnara, ashita ni demo yametai.) - 'I can't take it anymore. If I could quit my job, I'd quit as soon as tomorrow.'
- Standalone wistful expression:
A: 社長に昇進おめでとう！ (Shachō ni shōshin omedetō!) - 'Congrats on the promotion to president!'
B: ありがとう。でも、できるものなら、普通の社員に戻りたいよ… (Arigatō. Demo, dekiru mono nara, futsū no shain ni modoritai yo...) - 'Thanks. But if I could, I'd want to go back to being a regular employee...'
Progressive Practice
Work your way through these exercises to solidify your understanding.
Conjugation Drill: Convert these verbs into the 〜ものなら form.
- 話す -> 話せるものなら
- 辞める -> 辞められるものなら
- 忘れる -> 忘れられるものなら
- 死ぬ -> 死ねるものなら
Fill in the Blank: Complete the sentence with a logical outcome.
- 買えるものなら、＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿。 (e.g., ...その島を買いたい。 - I'd want to buy that island.)
- できるものなら、＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿！ (e.g., ...やってみろ！ - Go ahead and try!)
Scenario Application: How would you say the following in Japanese?
- 'You see an expensive car. Express your desire to buy it, knowing it's impossible.'
- Answer: あの車、買えるものなら買いたいなあ。 (Ano kuruma, kaeru mono nara kaitai nā.)
- 'Your friend boasts they can eat 10 bowls of ramen. Challenge them.'
- Answer: ラーメン10杯食べられるもんなら、食べてみなよ。 (Rāmen juppai taberareru monnara, tabete mina yo.)
Error Correction: Find and fix the mistake in the sentence below.
- 明日のテストを受けるものなら、いい点を取りたい。 (Ashita no tesuto o ukeru mono nara, ii ten o toritai.)
- Correction: The verb should be potential. 明日のテストを受けられるものなら... (ukerareru mono nara). However, this is still unnatural as taking a test is usually possible. A better sentence would be simply: 明日のテスト、いい点を取りたい。 The ~ものなら pattern is inappropriate here.
Quick FAQ
〜ものなら and 〜たらいいのに?Think scale and focus. 〜たらいいのに expresses a general wish that a situation were different ('I wish it would stop raining'). 〜ものなら focuses specifically on the speaker's lack of ability to change a situation, and is often used for larger, life-altering, or fantastical impossibilities ('If only I could go back in time').
〜ものなら always negative or pessimistic?The condition is framed as negative (impossible), but the result the speaker wants is usually positive (a desire to do something good, like help someone). The overall feeling is one of melancholy or wistfulness because the positive outcome is blocked by the impossible condition.
〜ものなら? Can I use it with my boss?〜ものなら itself is stylistically neutral, but its emotional nature makes it best for conversations with people you know well. Using it with a boss about a personal wish (e.g., wanting to go home) might sound a bit too emotionally candid. The contracted 〜もんなら is strictly informal and should be avoided in professional settings.
〜ものだ / 〜ものではない?No, they are completely different. 〜ものだ is used to express general truths, social norms, or strong convictions ('Students are supposed to study'). The fact that both use the nominalizer もの is a coincidence in function; their grammatical roles and meanings do not overlap.
Formation Table
| Verb Type | Dictionary Form | Formation |
|---|---|---|
|
Group 1
|
行く
|
行くものなら
|
|
Group 2
|
食べる
|
食べるものなら
|
|
Group 3
|
する
|
するものなら
|
|
Group 3
|
来る
|
来るものなら
|
|
Potential
|
行ける
|
行けるものなら
|
|
Negative
|
行かない
|
行かないものなら
|
Meanings
This grammar expresses a strong wish for a hypothetical situation, often implying that the speaker knows it is impossible or highly unlikely. It carries a nuance of emotional longing or regret.
Impossible Wish
Expressing a desire for something that cannot be changed.
“{やり直せる|やりなおせる}ものなら、もう一度{人生|じんせい}を{選|えら}びたい。”
“{空|そら}を{飛べる|とべる}ものなら、どこへでも{行きたい|いきたい}。”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Verb(dict) + ものなら
|
行くものなら
|
|
Negative
|
Verb(neg) + ものなら
|
行かないものなら
|
|
Potential
|
Verb(pot) + ものなら
|
行けるものなら
|
|
Past
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
Question
|
Verb(dict) + ものなら？
|
できるものなら？
|
Formality Spectrum
{戻れる|もどれる}ものなら、{戻り|もどり}たいです。 (Reflecting on the past.)
{戻れる|もどれる}ものなら、{戻り|もどり}たい。 (Reflecting on the past.)
{戻れる|もどれる}ものなら、{戻り|もどり}たいな。 (Reflecting on the past.)
{戻れる|もどれる}なら{戻り|もどり}てー。 (Reflecting on the past.)
The World of ~mono nara
Emotion
- 後悔 regret
- 憧れ longing
Reality
- 不可能 impossible
- 仮定 hypothetical
Examples by Level
{行ける|いける}ものなら、{行きたい|いきたい}。
If I could go, I would want to go.
{会える|あえる}ものなら、{会いたい|あいたい}。
If I could meet you, I would want to.
{できる|できる}ものなら、{やりたい|やりたい}。
If I could do it, I would.
{知れる|しれる}ものなら、{知りたい|しりたい}。
If I could know, I would want to.
{戻れる|もどれる}ものなら、{子供|こども}に{戻り|もどり}たい。
If I could go back, I'd want to be a child again.
{変えられる|かえられる}ものなら、{運命|うんめい}を{変えたい|かえたい}。
If I could change it, I would change my fate.
{話せる|はなせる}ものなら、もう一度{話したい|はなしたい}。
If I could talk, I'd want to talk one more time.
{消せる|けせる}ものなら、{過去|かこ}を{消し|けし}たい。
If I could erase it, I would erase the past.
{許される|ゆるされる}ものなら、{彼|かれ}に{謝り|あやまり}たい。
If I were allowed, I would apologize to him.
{見つかる|みつかる}ものなら、{探したい|さがしたい}。
If it could be found, I would want to search for it.
{やり直せる|やりなおせる}ものなら、{仕事|しごと}を{変える|かえる}。
If I could start over, I would change jobs.
{止める|とめる}ものなら、{時間|じかん}を{止めたい|とめたい}。
If I could stop it, I would stop time.
{叶う|かなう}ものなら、{夢|ゆめ}を{叶えたい|かなえたい}。
If it were to come true, I would want to fulfill my dream.
{救える|すくえる}ものなら、{世界|せかい}を{救いたい|すくいたい}。
If I could save it, I would save the world.
{隠せる|かくせる}ものなら、{真実|しんじつ}を{隠し|かくし}たい。
If I could hide it, I would hide the truth.
{忘れられる|わすれられる}ものなら、{全て|すべて}を{忘れ|わすれ}たい。
If I could forget, I would forget everything.
{理解できる|りかいできる}ものなら、{彼|かれ}の{心|こころ}を{理解したい|りかいしたい}。
If it were possible to understand, I would want to understand his heart.
{再現できる|さいげんできる}ものなら、あの{瞬間|しゅんかん}を{再現したい|さいげんしたい}。
If it were possible to recreate, I would recreate that moment.
{変えられる|かえられる}ものなら、{歴史|れきし}を{変えたい|かえたい}。
If it were possible to change, I would change history.
{説明できる|せつめいできる}ものなら、{理由|りゆう}を{説明したい|せつめいしたい}。
If it were possible to explain, I would explain the reason.
{超越できる|ちょうえつできる}ものなら、{人間|にんげん}の{限界|げんかい}を{超越したい|ちょうえつしたい}。
If it were possible to transcend, I would transcend human limits.
{解明できる|かいめいできる}ものなら、{宇宙|うちゅう}の{謎|なぞ}を{解明したい|かいめいしたい}。
If it were possible to solve, I would solve the mysteries of the universe.
{具現化できる|ぐげんかできる}ものなら、{理想|りそう}を{具現化したい|ぐげんかしたい}。
If it were possible to manifest, I would manifest my ideals.
{修復できる|しゅうふくできる}ものなら、{壊れた|こわれた}もの{全て|すべて}を{修復したい|しゅうふくしたい}。
If it were possible to repair, I would repair everything that is broken.
Easily Confused
Both are conditionals.
Both express conditions.
Both contain 'nara'.
Common Mistakes
行くものなら、行きます。
行けるものなら、行きたいです。
お金ものなら
お金があるものなら
食べたものなら
食べるものなら
行くものなら、行く。
行けるものなら、行きたい。
雨が降るものなら、傘を持つ。
雨が降るなら、傘を持つ。
きれいものなら
きれいなものなら
行くものなら、行ける。
行けるものなら、行きたい。
明日行くものなら
明日行けるものなら
知るものなら
知れるものなら
するものなら、した。
するものなら、したい。
実現するものなら
実現できるものなら
変えるものなら
変えられるものなら
行くものなら、行こう。
行けるものなら、行きたい。
Sentence Patterns
___ものなら、___たい。
もし___ものなら、___だろう。
___ものなら、___はずだ。
___ものなら、___のに。
Real World Usage
{戻れる|もどれる}ものなら、あの{夏|なつ}に{戻り|もどり}たい。
{会える|あえる}ものなら、{今すぐ|いますぐ}にでも{会いたい|あいたい}。
{やり直せる|やりなおせる}ものなら、{前職|ぜんしょく}で{もっと|もっと} {努力|どりょく}したかった。
{行ける|いける}ものなら、{宇宙|うちゅう}へ{行きたい|いきたい}。
N/A
{消せる|けせる}ものなら、この{記憶|きおく}を{消し|けし}たい。
Focus on Emotion
Avoid Real Conditions
Use Potential Form
Literary Flair
Smart Tips
Use the potential form before ~mono nara to sound more natural.
Use ~mono nara to show character depth.
Combine with 'kanau' (to come true).
Use with 'modoru' (to return).
Pronunciation
Emphasis
Emphasize 'mono' to show deep regret.
Falling
mono nara ↓
Resignation.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Mono' as a 'Monologue'—you are talking to yourself about a dream that won't come true.
Visual Association
Imagine a person looking at a star in the sky, reaching out, and sighing. The star is the 'impossible wish' (mono nara).
Rhyme
If you want to reach the stars, use ~mono nara for your scars.
Story
Kenji stares at his old guitar. He thinks, 'If I could play again (弾けるものなら), I would play for her.' But his hands are injured, and he knows it's impossible. He sighs and puts the guitar away.
Word Web
Challenge
Write three sentences about things you wish you could do but know you can't.
Cultural Notes
Used frequently in novels to show character inner turmoil.
Used by protagonists facing impossible odds.
Used in casual conversation about missed opportunities.
Derived from 'mono' (thing) and 'nara' (if it is).
Conversation Starters
{戻れる|もどれる}ものなら、いつに{戻り|もどり}たいですか？
{変えられる|かえられる}ものなら、{自分|じぶん}の{性格|せいかく}を{変えたい|かえたい}ですか？
{叶う|かなう}ものなら、どんな{夢|ゆめ}を{叶えたい|かなえたい}ですか？
{できる|できる}ものなら、{世界|せかい}のどこに{住みたい|すみたい}ですか？
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
戻れる___なら、戻りたい。
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
お金ものなら、買いたい。
If I could go, I would.
~mono nara is for real conditions.
A: I miss my home. B: ___
戻り / 戻れる / たい / ものなら
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises戻れる___なら、戻りたい。
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
お金ものなら、買いたい。
If I could go, I would.
~mono nara is for real conditions.
A: I miss my home. B: ___
戻り / 戻れる / たい / ものなら
Match the phrase.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises亡くなった祖父に___ものなら、もう一度会いたい。
テストをやり直せるものなら、___。
[ 時間を ] [ 止められる ] [ 止めたい ] [ ものなら ]
仕事をやめられるものなら、明日やめたい。
Match the pairs
Select the reason.
代われる___、代わってあげたい。
What is the reading?
やり直せるものなら、最初からやり直したい。
Where would you hear this?
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
No, it is strictly for hypothetical, impossible wishes.
Yes, it attaches to the dictionary form of a verb.
It is neutral, but often used in formal or literary settings.
It emphasizes that the action is currently impossible.
It is a specific type of 'if' used for counterfactuals.
Only if you add a verb like 'naru' (to become).
Yes, when expressing deep emotions.
Reality vs. impossibility.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Si pudiera...
Spanish uses mood conjugation; Japanese uses a particle structure.
Si je pouvais...
French relies on tense; Japanese relies on the 'mono nara' marker.
Wenn ich könnte...
German uses verb forms; Japanese uses a fixed phrase.
law...
Arabic 'law' is a particle; Japanese 'mono nara' is a phrase.
yaoshi...
Chinese lacks the specific 'impossible' nuance marker.
~tara
Reality vs. impossibility.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
Assuming scenarios with 'としたら' and 'とすれば'
Overview At the B2 level, moving beyond simple conditionals is essential for nuanced expression. The grammar patterns `...
Japanese 'To': The Inevitable If
Overview Japanese `と` (to) functions as a conditional particle signaling an **inevitable, automatic, or natural consequ...
The More... The More (～ば～ほど)
Overview The Japanese grammar pattern `～ば～ほど` (`ba~hodo`) precisely articulates a proportional relationship: "the m...
Useless Efforts: Even if... (~たところで)
Overview At the C1 level, moving beyond simple conditionals to express complex sentiments is key. The grammar pattern ~...
Turning Points: Once it becomes... (~ともなると)
Overview The grammar pattern `~ともなると` (and its partner `~ともなれば`) provides a way to express a significant turn...
