〜たら
if / when ~
N4conditionals
〜たら is a conditional pattern meaning if / when ~. Japanese has four main conditional forms (ば, たら, なら, と), each with distinct nuances. Understanding when to use each one is key to expressing hypothetical situations, cause-and-effect, and conditions naturally.
This is an intermediate pattern used regularly in everyday Japanese conversation and writing.
Structure
Verb(た) + ら
い-adj → かったら / な-adj → だったら
Formation#
| Type | Plain Past | 〜たら Form |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 verb | 書いた | 書いたら |
| Group 2 verb | 食べた | 食べたら |
| する | した | したら |
| くる | きた | きたら |
| い-adjective | 高かった | 高かったら |
| な-adjective | 静かだった | 静かだったら |
| Noun + copula | 学生だった | 学生だったら |
Add ら to the past tense (た-form) of any word.
When to Use#
- Specific future event: 家に着いたら電話します (I'll call when I get home)
- Discovery upon action: ドアを開けたら猫がいた (When I opened the door, there was a cat)
- Advice or suggestion: 分からなかったら聞いてね (If you don't understand, ask me)
When NOT to Use#
- When the meaning is closer to "if ~" — use 〜ば instead
- In very formal writing where a more sophisticated expression would be expected
Example Sentences#
- バスが来たら、教えてください。 — If the bus comes, please tell me.
- 時間があったら部屋を掃除します。 — I'll clean my room if I have time.
- 電車が遅れたら会社に遅刻します。 — If the train is delayed, I'll be late for work.
Practice#
Try reading these sentences aloud, then check the translation and vocabulary:
N4travel
If the bus comes, please tell me.
Neutral
バスが来たら、教えてください。
Casual
バスが来たら、教えて。
Vocabulary
バスbus来るto come教えるto tell, to teach
Grammar
〜たらif, when
Try in JIVX
N4routines
I'll clean my room if I have time.
Neutral
時間があったら部屋を掃除します。
Casual
時間があったら部屋を掃除する。
Vocabulary
時間time部屋room掃除cleaning
Grammar
〜たらif ~
Try in JIVX
Common Mistakes#
- Confusing 〜たら with 〜ば — While both are related, 〜たら expresses "if / when ~" whereas 〜ば expresses "if ~." Pay attention to the specific nuance each pattern conveys.
- Direct translation from English — The concept expressed by 〜たら may not map one-to-one with its English translation. Focus on understanding the Japanese usage through example sentences rather than relying on the English gloss.
Compare
| 〜たらif / when ~ | 〜ばif ~ | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Specific/sequential (if/when) | General/hypothetical (if) |
| Past events | Can describe past events | Cannot describe past events |
| Example | 家に着いたら電話して | 春になれば桜が咲く |
Compare
| 〜たらif / when ~ | 〜ならif (it's the case that) | |
|---|---|---|
| Timing | After event happens (sequential) | If topic is true (non-sequential) |
| Focus | Temporal sequence | Giving advice about a topic |
| Example | 雨が降ったら傘を持つ | 日本に行くなら京都がいい |
Related Patterns#
- 〜ば (if ~) — Compare
- 〜なら (if (it's the case that)) — Compare
Related Patterns
Practice this grammar in JIVX
Reinforce 〜たら with AI-graded sentence practice and spaced repetition.
Start Practicing Free