Noun1 が Noun1 なら、 Noun2 も Noun2 だ
A ga A nara, B mo B da
Formation
Noun1 + が + (repeat Noun1) + なら、Noun2 + も + (repeat Noun2) + だ
Indicates a parallel or matching situation; 'if Noun1 is (truly) Noun1, then Noun2 is also Noun2'.
When to use
Noun が Noun なら: when X is like that, of course Y is too (親が親なら).
Explanation
This structure conveys a comparison: 'If Noun1 is indeed that kind of thing (Noun1), then naturally Noun2 is also that kind of thing (Noun2)'. It’s often used to show parallels or equivalences in a rhetorical way.
Example sentences
-
If demons are indeed demons, humans are likewise humans.
Oni ga oni nara, ningen mo ningen da.
-
If he is the president, then I'm the president too.
Kare ga shachou nara, watashi mo shachou da.
-
If you're a warrior, then I'm a warrior as well.
Kisama ga senshi nara, ore mo senshi da.
ハムスターがペットなら、猫もペットだ。
If a hamster counts as a pet, then a cat is also a pet.
Hamusutā ga petto nara, neko mo petto da.