Kumi logo
    Kumi

    Learn Japanese. Where understanding folds into fluency.

    Dictionary

    KanjiKanji vocabularyKana vocabularyKanaRadicalsGrammarJLPT N5

    Learn

    GuidesStart where you areWhat is KMT?RoadmapFAQ

    Connect

    EmailDiscordInstagramThreadsTikTokYouTubeLinkedInBlueskyX

    Newsletter

    Start learning free →

    Free forever tier. No card required.

    © 2026 Kumiai Inc. All rights reserved.

    AboutFAQContactStatusPrivacyTermsAttributions
    Dictionary
    1. Dictionary
    2. Grammar
    3. 〜(よ)うものなら

    〜(よ)うものなら

    〜(よ)うものなら

    This means "if you dare to do something." It shows that a very bad thing will happen if you do it.

    N1KMT7NeutralStandardAdverbial ConstructionMixedHypothetical ConditionalsGrammar

    Verb [volitional form] + ものならPrimary

    This means "if you dare to do something." It shows that a very bad thing will happen if you do it.

    父ちちはとても厳きびしいので、門もん限げんを1分いっぷんでも破やぶろうものなら、一いっ週しゅう間かんは口くちをきいてもらえない。

    My father is very strict, so if I were to break curfew by even one minute, he wouldn't speak to me for a week.

    CasualNon PastNegativeMid SentenceHypotheticalFamily & RelationshipsDaily Life
    あんな危き険けんな場ば所しょへ一ひと人りで行いこうものなら、命いのちがいくつあっても足たりない。

    If you were to go to such a dangerous place alone, any number of lives wouldn't be enough.

    NeutralNon PastNegativeClause InitialHypotheticalCore Concepts
    祖そ父ふの時じ代だいは、親おやの言いうことに少すこしでも逆さからおうものなら、勘かん当どうされたそうだ。

    In my grandfather's time, I hear that if you were to even slightly disobey your parents, you would be disowned.

    NeutralPastAffirmativeMid SentenceHearsayFamily & RelationshipsHistory
    この精せい密みつ機き械かいは、素しろ人うとが下へ手たにいじろうものなら、すぐに壊こわれてしまうだろう。

    If an amateur were to carelessly tamper with this precision machine, it would probably break immediately.

    FormalNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceConjecturalTechnology
    彼かれはプライドが高たかいから、人ひと前まえで恥はじをかかせようものなら、二に度どと口くちを利きいてくれないだろう。

    He has a lot of pride, so if you were to make him lose face in public, he probably wouldn't ever speak to you again.

    NeutralNon PastNegativeMid SentenceConjecturalEmotions & PsychologyFamily & Relationships

    This grammar is like a warning sign. It only talks about bad things that could happen. It's never used for good or neutral results. It often sounds like a complaint.

    This grammar is different from '〜たら'. '〜たら' just means 'if'. This grammar means 'if you dare to do something bad'. It always warns of a very bad result. It is like saying 'if you do this, something terrible will happen'.

    Watch out: Do not use this pattern for good things. For example, do not say, "If it is sunny tomorrow, let's go for a picnic." This grammar is for bad things that probably will not happen. Or it makes a situation sound very bad.

    Don't use this when you want to give an order. For example, you cannot say "If you are late, please apologize."

    Contrasts with(1)

    〜(た)暁には

    This means that when something difficult finally happens, something else will follow. It is for big, important things you worked hard for.

    More formal alternatives(1)

    〜でもしたら

    This phrase warns about bad things. It means 'if you do something like this, then bad things will happen'.

    意向形 (よう / う)

    This form means 'let's do' something. You use it to suggest an action or invite someone to do it with you.

    〜ものなら

    This phrase means 'If I could...' or 'If it were possible to...'. You use it when something is very hard or impossible to do.

    〜なら

    You use this word to talk about a topic. You can give advice about it. You can also ask a question about it.

    Kumi logo

    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.

    Related concepts for this entry

    Variants

    • 〜ものなら

    prerequisite

    • 意向形 (よう / う)
    • 〜なら

    Similar concepts

    • 〜でもしたら
    • 〜たが最後

    contrasts_with

    • 〜(た)暁には

    Explore more

    Grammar dictionary›Browse all entries›