Let's try using "nara" to make a recommendation! / Japanese Learning Support LLC
Let's learn Japanese grammar!
This time, we'll introduce how to use "nara," one of the basic grammatical structures.
How would you respond if a friend told you this story?
Friend: I'm thinking of going on a trip during summer vacation, where would you recommend?
A friend has asked me for travel destination recommendations.
How will you teach them?
You can say it like this using "nara".
You: Hokkaido is a great place to go for a summer vacation trip!
As you can see, "nara" can be used when giving advice that is tailored to the other person's topic.
What does "nara" mean?
Let's take a closer look at how to use it.
Today's menu
1. How to use "nara" - Let me recommend it!
3. Let's try some practice problems! ~Recommending using "nara"~
How to use "nara"
Let's start by looking at some example sentences.
Sample 1 A: I'd like to do some shopping somewhere...
B: Harajuku is a good place to go shopping.
Sample 2 A: What would be a good souvenir from Korea?
B: If you're looking for a souvenir from Korea, I'd recommend Yakgwa (Korean sweet potato).
Sample 3 A: I'd like to go to a hot spring. Do you have any recommendations?
B: If you're looking for a hot spring, Hakone is the place to go.
Sample 4 A: I'm thinking of going to Kyoto this summer.
B: Autumn is the best time to visit Kyoto. It's too hot in the summer.
Thus, "nara" is used when you want to recommend or suggest something related to the topic or theme that the other person has mentioned.
The particle "nara" is used to pick up on a keyword and means "speaking of which," "when talking about which," or "that story is about which."
In Sample 1, Person A says, "I'd like to do some shopping somewhere...", and Person B then suggests, "Speaking of shopping..."
★How is this different from "ha"?
for example,
I think it's best to buy flowers as a gift from the flower shop in front of the station.
Osaka is famous for Dotonbori.
Sentences using "wa" like this simply express the speaker's opinion.
The speaker is talking about things they think are good, like "the flower shop in front of the station is nice" or "Dotonbori is famous."
If you use "nara",
(After hearing that she wanted to buy flowers as a gift)
...If you're buying flowers as a gift, I think it's best to buy them at the flower shop in front of the station.
(After hearing that they wanted to travel to Osaka)
...In Osaka, Dotonbori is famous.
This can be said.
The meaning doesn't change all that much, but "nara" is a response to the topic the other person mentioned, "flowers as a gift" and "Osaka."
Therefore, "nara" is connected to the previous conversation.
Other uses of "nara"
★ Indicates conditions
It's used in a way similar to "If...".
Sample 1: If you're free tomorrow, would you like to go to the movies together?
Sample 2: I'll buy it if it's cheap.
Sample 3: If it rains tomorrow, the camping trip will be canceled.
Sample 4: If I ever have the chance to go to Japan, I'd like to climb Mount Fuji.
In this way, "nara" can also be used to express that if the conditions are such as "free time," "cheap," "rainy," or "there is a chance," then...
In this usage, you can express your own opinion even if you haven't spoken about the other person's topic.
★ Indicates limited or targeted
This usage means, "There are no other ~, but when it comes to ~, ~".
Sample 1 A: Have you ever been abroad?
B: I've been to Thailand.
Sample 2 A: Are you good at sports?
B: I can play soccer.
Sample 3 A: Can you cook Japanese food?
B: I can make miso soup.
Sample 4 A: Have you ever studied Spanish?
B: We have French, but not Spanish.
Sample 5 A: Shall we go to karaoke on Saturday?
B: I can go on Sunday, but I have something to do on Saturday...
In this way, when you want to say something about a specific thing in response to a question from the other person, you can use "nara".
For example, in Sample 1, in response to the question "Have you ever been abroad?", Person B answers "I have been to Thailand."
This means "I've never been to any other country, but I have been to Thailand," thus limiting the scope.
Also, as in Sample 4, in response to the question "Have you ever studied Spanish?", you can answer "I have studied French."
This means, "I've never studied Spanish, but I have studied French."
Try the practice problems! ~Recommending using "nara"~
Problem 1: Complete the sentence by filling in the blanks with the appropriate words.
An example answer will be written at the bottom of this blog.
example)
A: If you're looking for ramen, ( ) is delicious.
→ If you're looking for ramen, the shop in front of the station is delicious.
① If you're planning a trip to Hokkaido, ( ) is recommended.
② If it's Kyoto, I'd like to go to ( ).
③ Among Japanese sweets, ( ) is popular.
④ If you have time, please ( ).
Problem 2: Complete the conversation.
①
A: I'm planning to go to Okinawa this summer.
B: If it's Okinawa ( ).
②
A: I want to buy a present for my friend.
B: If it's a gift ( ).
③
A: I'm looking for a Japanese textbook...
B: If it's a Japanese textbook ( ).
④
A: I want to eat Vietnamese food.
B: If it's Vietnamese food ( ).
summary
How was it?
Today, we introduced the basic grammar point "nara".
This is grammar that's easy to use in conversation.
I encourage you all to try using this when giving advice or making recommendations based on what others have said.
Example answer
Problem 1
① If you're planning a trip to Hokkaido, summer is the best time to go.
② If I go to Kyoto, I'd like to visit temples and shrines.
③ If you're looking for Japanese sweets, matcha-flavored sweets are popular.
④ If you have time, please help.
Problem 2
①
A: I'm planning to go to Okinawa this summer.
B: The sea in Okinawa is very beautiful.
②
A: I want to buy a present for my friend.
B: If it's a gift, I think sweets would be a good choice.
③
A: I'm looking for a Japanese textbook...
B: If you're looking for a Japanese textbook, I recommend the XX Japanese Grammar textbook.
④
A: I want to eat Vietnamese food.
B: If you're looking for Vietnamese food, there's a good restaurant nearby.
