Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 10: 14/18

たらどうWhy don't you...?, What if you did...?

It can be further contracted to たら by itself in very casual conversations.

Structure

Verb［たら］+ どう + だ？
Verb［たら］+ どう + （か）？
Verb［たら］ ？

Details

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About たらどう

When the conjunction particle たら is used before the adverb どう, it primarily presents a situation, then asks a question about it potentially happening. This construction can be translated as 'why don't you (A)?', or 'what if you did (A)?'. Realistically, it just means 'when (A), how about that?'. It is often used for giving advice.

To use this expression, convert the verb that you want to use into its たら form, and then add どう.

Sometimes たら is used by itself, with a tone that implies that it is a question (or simply by adding a question mark in written language). This is an abbreviation of たらどう, and carries the same nuance.

だ or か may be added to the end of たらどう, to emphasize the 'question' even further. However, they are not required.

Caution

Despite being used for giving advice, たらどう may be interpreted as criticism. Due to this, care will need to be taken with your tone of voice.

  • たまには頭(あたま)を使(つか)ったらどう？
    Why don't you use your head occasionally? (You should try thinking for once)

Examples

--:--

    公園(こうえん)に遊(あそ)びに行(い)ったらどうですか。

    Why don't you go to play in the park?

    あそこのゴミを拾(ひろ)ったらどうですか。

    Why don't you go pick up that garbage over there?

    ダイエットをしてみたらどう？

    Why don't you try dieting?

    そんなに彼(かれ)が好(す)きだったら、付(つ)き合(あ)ったらどう？

    If you like him that much, why don't you go out with him?

    日本(にほん)に居(い)て寂(さび)しいなら、アメリカに帰(かえ)ったらどう？

    If you feel lonely in Japan, why don't you go back to America?

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たらどう – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (16 in total)

  • sergimas

    sergimas

    Sorry, i know It’s been asked before in this thread but I have not seen it answered, can we use the ば conditional with this construction or the nuance would be different?

    Thanks!

  • EbonyMidget

    EbonyMidget

  • sergimas

    sergimas

    Thanks for the link!

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