Japanese Grammar

Conditionals: 〜たら (~tara)

The ~tara form is the most versatile conditional in Japanese. Depending on the context, it means 'If (A happens), then (B)' or 'When (A happens in the future), then (B)'.

If and When

Unlike English which has different words for 'If' (uncertain) and 'When' (certain to happen), Japanese often uses the exact same grammar: 〜たら.

If the condition is a hypothetical (e.g., If I have money...), ~tara means 'If'.

If the condition is definitely going to happen in the future (e.g., When I arrive at the station...), ~tara means 'When'.

Because of this, ~tara literally translates to 'Upon the completion of A, B will happen.'

How to make the ~tara form

Verbs (Use the Ta-form)

Rule

→Ta-form + ら (ra)

Just add 'ra' to the past tense

食べる (taberu)

→食べたら (tabetara)

If/When I eat

行く (iku)

→行ったら (ittara)

If/When I go

I-Adjectives

Rule

→Change 'i' to 'kattara'

Past tense (katta) + ra

安い (yasui)

→安かったら (yasukattara)

If it is cheap

いい (ii - good)

→よかったら (yokattara)

If it is good / If you like

Nouns and Na-Adjectives

Rule

→Add だったら (dattara)

Past tense of da (datta) + ra

雨 (ame - rain)

→雨だったら (ame dattara)

If it rains

暇 (hima - free time)

→暇だったら (hima dattara)

If you are free

Negative (If not...)

Rule

→Nakatta + ra

Past negative + ra

行かない (ikanai)

→行かなかったら (ikanakattara)

If I don't go

Example Sentences

お金があったら、車を買います。

Okane ga attara, kuruma o kaimasu.

If I had money, I would buy a car. (Hypothetical = If)

日本に着いたら、電話します。

Nihon ni tsuitara, denwa shimasu.

When I arrive in Japan, I will call you. (Certain future = When)

雨だったら、行きません。

Ame dattara, ikimasen.

If it rains, I won't go. (Noun + dattara)

Teacher's Advice

The nuance of completion

Why is ~tara based on the PAST tense (ta-form)? Because in the Japanese mind, the second action cannot happen until the first action is COMPLETELY FINISHED in the timeline. 'Arrive-ta-ra' -> Upon the completion of arriving, I will call.

JLPT Exam Patterns

•Conjugating negative conditions correctly: ~nakattara (N4)
•Using 'Moshi' (もし) at the beginning of the sentence to emphasize that it's a hypothetical 'If' (N4)
•Understanding the difference between ~tara (after A happens) and ~te iru aida ni (while A is happening) (N4)

Related Grammar

Saying 'When': 〜時 (toki)

Grammar guide →

Saying 'Because': から and ので

Grammar guide →

Asking for Permission: 〜てもいい

Grammar guide →

See the full JLPT N5 grammar roadmap →

Master Conditionals

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