～たら (conditional)

• Reading: たら
• Romaji: tara
• Formation: Verb た-form + ら / い-Adj → -かったら / な-Adj → だったら / Noun + だったら

Meaning

Indicates that the action or state in the preceding clause is a condition for the following clause. It can express either 'if' or 'when' depending on context.

たら is the most versatile conditional form in Japanese, covering both hypothetical ('if') and temporal ('when') meanings. It is formed by adding ら to the past tense form (た-form) of verbs, adjectives, or the copula. Unlike ば, たら can be followed by volitional expressions, requests, and commands, making it suitable for suggestions and instructions. When the main clause describes a discovered or realised fact, たら functions as 'when' rather than 'if.' Compared to と, たら allows one-time or unique events, not just habitual or inevitable outcomes.

Examples

1. 雨が降ったら試合は中止です。 If it rains, the match will be cancelled.
2. 駅に着いたら電話してください。 Please call me when you arrive at the station.
3. 安かったらこのバッグを買います。 If it's cheap, I'll buy this bag.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 宿題が終わったら遊びに行こう。
• 大阪に行ったら絶対たこ焼きを食べてください。
• 三十歳になったら独立したいと思っている。

Don't Say

• 暑いだったら窓を開けましょう。(い-adjective conditional is 暑かったら — だったら is only for nouns and な-adjectives) → 暑かったら窓を開けましょう。
• 駅に着いたと電話してください。(と cannot be followed by a request — use たら for commands and requests) → 駅に着いたら電話してください。

Origin & History

たら derives from the past-tense auxiliary た combined with the conditional particle ら. The use of past tense to mark conditions reflects the idea that the condition is treated as completed before the result occurs.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal