You use this to say you really want to do something. But you know it is very hard or not possible.
Verb [potential form] + ものならPrimary
You use this to say you really want to do something. But you know it is very hard or not possible.
戻れるものなら、２０歳の頃に戻って人生をやり直したい。
If I could go back, I'd want to return to when I was 20 and redo my life.
あんな無責任な仕事、辞められるものなら今すぐにでも辞めたいよ。
That kind of irresponsible job... if I could quit, I'd want to quit right this very second.
できるものなら、昨日の会議での失言を取り消したかった。
If it had been possible, I wish I could have taken back the slip of the tongue I made at yesterday's meeting.
過去の過ちを忘れられるものなら、こんなに苦しむことはないのに。
If I could only forget my past mistakes, I wouldn't be suffering like this.
彼の病気と代われるものなら、代わってあげたいと心から思う。
If I could trade places and take on his illness, I wish from the bottom of my heart that I could.
NeutralNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceHypotheticalMedicine & HealthFamily & RelationshipsEmotions & Psychology
This grammar shows a big gap. It is between what you want and what can really happen. You almost always say what you want to do next. You rarely just state a fact.
This is different from '〜ようものなら' (you-mononara). '〜ものなら' shows you want to do something but it is hard. '〜ようものなら' means if you do something bad, something bad will happen. One is about hope, the other is about warning.
Don't use this when you can easily do something. For example, you wouldn't say "If I could eat, I would eat." You must use a verb that shows you can do something. This verb often means something hard or impossible. Like going back in time. Or quitting a job you really need.
Use this when you want to show strong feelings. You might be frustrated or wish for something. It can also be used to challenge someone, like saying, "If you can do it, try!"
Track your mastery
Kumi's KMT system tracks your mastery across kanji, vocabulary, grammar, and reading. Create a free account to use it on 220,000+ concepts.