Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
Expresses a condition (“if” or “when”) or indicates a sequential action or discovery after a state/action is completed.
🎯 Primary Function
To link a preceding clause (the condition or completed action) to a following clause (the result, consequence, or subsequent action).
📋 Grammar Structure
Verb Past Tense (た-form) + ら
い-adjective + かったら
な-adjective + だったら
Noun + だったら
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Can be used in formal contexts, but sometimes other forms like 〜ば or more formal expressions might be preferred depending on the specific nuance.
Informal Situations
Very common in informal conversation.
Written Language
Used in both written and spoken language.
Spoken Language
Very frequently used in spoken language.
💡 Common Applications
Expressing a simple conditional (If A, then B)
Used when A is a likely or hypothetical condition that leads to result B. B can be any tense or mood (suggestion, request, command).
Example: 時間がなかったら、タクシーに乗ります。 (If there isn’t time, I will take a taxi.)
Indicating a sequential action or discovery (When/After A happens, B happens)
Used when A is an action or state that will be completed, and B happens immediately after or as a result of A being completed.
Example: 駅に着いたら、電話してください。 (When you arrive at the station, please call me.)
Making a suggestion or request based on a condition
Often used with expressions like 〜てください, 〜たほうがいいです, 〜たらどうですか to give advice or make requests conditional on something.
Example: 熱があったら、学校を休んだほうがいいです。 (If you have a fever, you should rest from school.)
Frequency
Very frequent.
Difficulty
Moderate (understanding its multiple uses and nuances compared to other conditionals is key).
Example Sentences
雨が降ったら、ピクニックは中止です。
If it rains, the picnic will be cancelled.
この本を読んだら、感想を教えてください。
After you read this book, please tell me your thoughts.
安かったら、あのカバンを買いたいです。
If it’s cheap, I want to buy that bag.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Result clause tense/mood
Unlike 〜と (which requires a neutral, non-volitional result) or 〜ば (which has some restrictions), the result clause after 〜たら can be in any tense (present, past, future) and express various moods (volition, desire, command, request, suggestion). This makes it very versatile.
Example: 時間があったら、本を読みます。(future/habitual)
時間があったら、本を読みたいです。(desire)
時間があったら、本を読んでください。(request)
Past tense in the たら clause
The condition part always uses the past tense (た-form) regardless of whether the event is in the past, present, or future. This can be confusing for learners initially.
Example: 明日雨が降ったら、行きません。(Even for a future event “rain tomorrow”, you use 降ったら)
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ Using dictionary form or present tense instead of the た-form
✅ Always use the past tense (た-form) for the verb or adjective/noun + だったら before ら.
The grammar requires the past form to connect to ら, indicating a completed state or action as the basis for the next clause.
❌ Confusing sequential たら with conditional たら
✅ Pay attention to the context. If the first event has already happened, it’s likely the sequential/discovery meaning. If it’s a hypothetical future event, it’s the conditional meaning.
Both uses have the same form, so context and the nature of the two clauses (cause-effect vs. A-then-B) are important.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: Generally neutral. Can be used in polite contexts with polite verb forms in the result clause, or informal contexts with plain forms.
Social Situations: Widely used in daily conversation, giving advice, making plans.
Regional Variations: The fundamental usage is standard, though regional dialects might have variations in connected particles or verb conjugations.
🔍 Subtle Differences
たら vs と
と implies a natural, automatic consequence (A happens, then B *always* happens). たら indicates a conditional or sequential relationship, where B is a result *if* A happens, or happens *after* A. たら can have volitional outcomes, と cannot.
When to use: Use と for natural laws, automatic results, or fixed sequences. Use たら for hypothetical/likely conditions, requests, suggestions, commands, and discoveries.
たら vs ば
ば often expresses general conditions or hypothetical states. たら can be used for both hypothetical and likely specific future events, and importantly, completed past actions leading to a discovery/result.
When to use: Use ば for general truths, rules, or conditions related to states (like wanting something). Use たら for specific potential future events, sequential actions, and discoveries.
たら vs なら
なら sets a condition based on a topic or situation already mentioned or assumed. たら sets a condition based on the preceding clause directly.
When to use: Use なら when responding to or commenting on something just said or known. Use たら for general “if” clauses or “when/after” completed actions.
📝 Conjugation Notes
Verb: Change to た form (行く -> 行った -> 行ったら) い-adj: Replace い with かったら (高い -> 高かった -> 高かったら) な-adj: Add だったら (元気 -> 元気だったら) Noun: Add だったら (雨 -> 雨だったら)
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
The ら is typically pronounced clearly. Be careful not to drop the た/かった/だった part.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of たら as meaning “once A is done/is true, then B”. The た form represents the “once it’s done/true” part.
Practice Exercises
時間が＿＿、友達に会いたいです。
あったら
あるなら
あれば
あると
このボタンを＿＿、電気がつきます。
押したら
押すと
押せば
押すなら
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