〜たら (tara)

JLPT N4

The most flexible way to say “if” or “when” something happens.

Meaning

“If / when ~, (then) …” Set up a situation, then say what follows once it's true.

Formation

• Verb / い-adj / な-adj / Noun (past た-form) + ら

Examples

家に帰ったら、電話します。

Ie ni kaettara, denwa shimasu. — When I get home, I'll call you.

安かったら、買います。

Yasukattara, kaimasu. — If it's cheap, I'll buy it.

春になったら、花見をしよう。

Haru ni nattara, hanami o shiyō. — When spring comes, let's go flower-viewing.

もし雨だったら、中止です。

Moshi ame dattara, chūshi desu. — If it rains, it's cancelled.

How it works

たら works for specific, one-time situations and is the most versatile conditional. Pair it with もし for hypotheticals.

It can also mean “once ~” for a future certainty: 帰ったら (once I get back).

Compared with similar expressions

• 〜たら — if / when (flexible, one-off).

• 〜ば — if (emphasizes the condition; often general).

• 〜と — whenever / if (automatic result).

Common mistakes

• Use the past た-form + ら: 行く → 行った → 行ったら

• Noun / な-adj: 学生 → 学生だったら, 静か → 静かだったら

Related grammar

• 〜ば — if (conditional)

• 〜と — whenever

• 〜なら — if (given that)