Introduction
In this blog, we will learn how to use -たら (tara) to express conditional sentences, or “if” statements, in Japanese. This is an important grammar point used when one event depends on another.
What It Means
When we say AたらB, it means that B will happen if and when A happens. The clause before -たら (tara) states a condition, and the clause after describes the result or action that follows.
When You Use It
You use –たら (tara) when you want to talk about an event that depends on a condition being met. It can also describe both real and hypothetical situations. Remember, B cannot happen before A.
For example:
- 日本に行ったら、着物を買います。
(Nihon ni ittara, kimono o kaimasu.)
“I will buy a kimono if I go to Japan.”
Examples
- 天気がよかったら、ピクニックに行きます。
(Tenki ga yokattara, pikunikku ni ikimasu.)
“If the weather is good, I will go on a picnic.” - 佐藤先生に会ったら、そのことを聞こうと思います。
(Satou sensei ni attara, sono koto o kikou to omoimasu.)
“I will ask about it if I see Professor Satou.” - 五百万あったら、車を買うんですけど。
(Gohyaku man attara, kuruma o kaun desu kedo.)
“If I had 5 million yen, I would buy a car.”
Note
You cannot use -たら (tara) to describe sequences where B happens before A. For example, you cannot say, “来週試験があったら、今度の週末は勉強したほうがいいですよ。(Raishuu shiken ga attara, kondo no shuumatsu wa benkyou shita hou ga ii desu yo.) If you have an exam next week, you should study this weekend,” using -たら.
Conclusion
Now you know how to use -たら (tara) to express conditions in Japanese. It’s a useful way to talk about what will happen when certain conditions are met.
Recommended Resources
For a more detailed understanding of -tara and other foundational grammar points, I recommend “A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar“. This book provides clear, in-depth explanations of various Japanese grammar structures, including conditional forms like -tara. It’s an excellent reference for both beginners and intermediate learners, offering numerous examples that show how to use these grammar points in real contexts.
