ものなら
(Mono nara)
if (it were) possible / if I could.
Connection rules
- ＋V potential form + ものなら. Sometimes V dict + ものなら.
- ＋Typically with potential forms: 会えるものなら ('if I could meet'), 戻れるものなら ('if I could go back').
- ＋Hypothetical and often wistful — implies the action is hard / impossible.
Examples
1.
昔に戻れるものなら、戻りたい。
Mukashi ni modoreru mono nara, modori tai.
If I could go back to the past, I would.
「if (it were) possible / if I could」
2.
会えるものなら、もう一度会いたい。
Aeru mono nara, mouichido ai tai.
If I could meet (him) again, I would want to.
「if (it were) possible / if I could」
Practice
If I could do my life over again, I would want to choose a different path.
人生を___、別の道を選びたい。
Romaji also accepted