～たら Form
Meaning
Indicates that one action or condition happens after another is completed.
"If / when (something happens)...", often used for conditional or temporal relationships.
Used for:
A certain condition that will be met in the future:
駅に着きいたら、電話します。
A hypothetical condition that may or may not happen:
もしUFOを見たら、写真をとります。
Note: The use of the word「もし」can emphasize the conditional.
Asking or giving advice:
少し持ってみたら、どうですか。
Giving advice is done with「たらどうですか。」
Asking advice is done with「たらいいですか。」
Telling a story (recounting something remarkable or unusual)
朝起きて、カーテンを開けたら、雪がふっていた。
Note: the sentence ends in a past tense
How to Form
| Type | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb (past form) | た-form + ら | 食べたら → If/when I eat |
| い-adjective | Adj. (～かった) + ら | 高かったら → If it was expensive |
| な-adjective | Adj. + だったら | 元気だったら → If you're well |
| Noun | Noun + だったら | 先生だったら → If (you're) a teacher |
Examples
-
雨が降ったら、出かけません。
If it rains, I won’t go out. -
宿題が終わったら、ゲームをしてもいい。
You can play games after finishing your homework. -
安かったら、買います。
If it’s cheap, I’ll buy it. -
元気だったら、一緒に来てね。
If you feel well, come along.
Notes
- Can express both “if” and “when”, depending on context.
- The action before たら must be completed first.
- Often used in hypothetical or planning situations.
- Common with time or result conditions:
雨が降ったら, 宿題(しゅくだい)が終わったら, etc.