Lesson22:～たら-Mastering “Tara”: The Most Versatile “If” in Japanese

When it comes to expressing “if” or conditional statements in Japanese, you’ll encounter several options. While each has its own nuance, 「～たら」 (tara) stands out as the most flexible and frequently used conditional form in daily conversation. Compared to other conditional expressions, 「たら」 can be applied in a remarkably wide range of situations.

Let’s dive into how to form 「たら」 and explore its diverse uses.

1. How to Form 「～たら」

Forming 「たら」 is straightforward: simply attach 「ら」 (ra) to the past tense (ta-form) of verbs, adjectives, and nouns.

Main Uses and Nuances of 「～たら」

The primary characteristic of 「たら」 is its ability to be followed by virtually any type of expression in the latter clause (the part after 「たら」), including expressions of the speaker’s will, commands, requests, or proposals. This flexibility is why 「たら」 is so widely used in daily conversation.

Use 1: Simple Hypothetical Condition (“If A, then B”)

This is the most common usage, where you hypothesize about something that might happen or hasn’t happened yet, and then state the predicted result.

• Examples:
  • もし明日雨が降ったら、遠足は中止でしょう。
    • (If it rains tomorrow, the excursion will probably be canceled.)
  • 時間ができたら、旅行に行きたいです。
    • (If I get some free time, I want to go on a trip.)
  • 宝くじが当たったら、家を買います。
    • (If I win the lottery, I’ll buy a house.)

Use 2: Completed Condition (“When A happens, then B”)

「たら」 can also indicate that the action or state in the first clause has been completed, and as a result, the action in the second clause occurs. It’s often used to show a sequence of events.

• Examples:
  • 駅に着いたら、電話してください。
    • (When you arrive at the station, please call me. – Implying after you’ve definitely arrived)
  • 電気をつけたら、誰もいませんでした。
    • (When I turned on the light, nobody was there. – A fact discovered after the action of turning on the light)
  • 仕事を終えたら、すぐに帰ります。
    • (When I finish work, I’ll go home right away. – Once the work is definitely finished)

Use 3: Counter-to-Expectation or Unexpected Result (“Even if A happens, then B”)

Similar to 「～ても」 (temo), 「たら」 can express a result that goes against expectations. The nuance here is more like, “If this (often surprising) situation were to happen, then this unexpected outcome would occur.”

• Examples:
  • もしお金がたくさんあったら、幸せとは限りません。
    • (Even if you had a lot of money, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’d be happy.)
  • 彼に頼んだら、断られました。
    • (Even though I asked him, he refused. – It was unexpected that he would refuse after being asked.)

Use 4: Commands, Requests, and Proposals (“If A, please do B / let’s do B”)

This is one of 「たら」’s most significant features: its ability to be followed by expressions of the speaker’s will, commands, requests, proposals, desires, etc. This flexibility is why 「たら」 is so widely used in daily conversation.

• Examples:
  • もし時間があったら、手伝ってください。
    • (If you have time, please help me. – Request)
  • 疲れたら、休んだらどうですか。
    • (If you’re tired, why don’t you rest? – Suggestion)
  • 雨が止んだら、出かけよう。
    • (When the rain stops, let’s go out. – Proposal/Will)
  • 迷ったら、私に聞いてください。
    • (If you get lost, please ask me. – Command/Request)

Comparing 「たら」 with Other Conditionals

Understanding the differences between 「たら」 and other conditional expressions like 「と」, 「ば」, 「なら」, and 「ても」 will further clarify its usage.

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Key Takeaways for 「たら」

• 「たら」 is incredibly convenient because it can cover a broad range of meanings, from a simple hypothetical “if” to the result after an action is completed.
• Its ability to mean both “if/when” (hypothetical) and “after/when” (definite completion) depends on the context.
• Given its high flexibility in the second clause, if you’re unsure which conditional to use, 「たら」 is often a safe and correct choice in most situations.

「たら」 is one of the most frequently heard conditional expressions in Japanese daily conversation. Immerse yourself in various examples to get comfortable with its versatile usage!