～ものなら

When to use

A wishful, often unlikely conditional - "if only it were possible to...".

Explanation

「～ものなら」 is used when expressing a strong wish under a hypothetical or difficult condition. It often implies that fulfilling this condition is unlikely or very hard, but 'if only it could happen, then...'.

• 帰れるものなら、今いますぐ国くにへ帰かえりたい。

  If I could possibly go back, I'd return to my country right now.

  Kaereru mono nara, ima sugu kuni e kaeritai.

• できるものなら、世界せかいを一周いっしゅうしてみたい。

  If it were possible, I'd love to travel around the world.

  Dekiru mono nara, sekai o isshuu shite mitai.

• やり直せるものなら、子供こどもの頃ころに戻もどりたい。

  If I could redo my life, I'd go back to my childhood.

  Yarinaoseru mono nara, kodomo no koro ni modoritai.

• 元気げんきになれるものなら、どんな薬くすりでも試ためしたい。

  If it could make me healthy, I'd try any medicine.

  Genki ni nareru mono nara, donna kusuri demo tameshitai.

Wish And Hope (I Hope / If Only)

• ～さえ～ば〜sae ~baN2Expresses that, as long as a certain condition is met…
• ～ば～のに〜ba 〜noniN3Expresses regret or dissatisfaction; 'if only', 'wish'.
• ～ば～ものを～ba～mono oN1Expresses regret or a missed opportunity: 'if only', 'had…
• ～といいなあ〜to ii naaN3Express a wish or hope; 'it would be nice if', 'I hope…
• ～ばよかった〜ba yokattaN3Express a sense of regret; 'I wish', 'it would have been…
• ～ますように〜masu you niN3Used to express a wish or hope for oneself or someone else.
• どうにか～ないものかdō ni ka ~ nai mono kaN2Express a strong desire or wish for something to be…
• Verb ないものだろうかVerb nai mono darou kaN1Expressing hope or wonder if something can be done: 'Isn't…

Compare when to use each