～が～なら

会社が会社ならもう少しましな給料を出してくれるのだろうが。

If my company were a really good one, it would probably pay a bit better salary, but…

大学が大学ならもっといい教育が受けられて、いい就職もできたのだろう。

If the university had been a really good one, it would have given me a much better education, and I could have gotten a good job.

友人が友人なら、役に立つ助言をしてくれたかもしれません。

If your friend were a true friend, he might have given you useful advice.

季節が季節なら、ここは素晴らしい観光地なんですが、今は寒すぎて観光には向いていないんですよ。

If we were here in the right season, this place would be a wonderful sightseeing spot, but now it's not a good place to take tourists because it is too cold. [It's winter now.]

時代が時代なら、そんな服装も悪くはないのかもしれないが、今ではおよそ古臭い。

At the appropriate time, that sort of clothing would not have looked so bad, but now it is too old-fashioned looking.

世が世なら、こんな情けない生活はしなくても済んだのに。

If I were living in a really good time, I wouldn't need to live such a miserable life.

Formation

Notes