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    Dictionary
    1. Dictionary
    2. Grammar
    3. 〜たらどうですか

    〜たらどうですか

    〜たらどうですか

    This phrase helps you suggest something politely. It is like saying 'How about...?' or 'Why don't you...?' in English.

    N3KMT4PoliteStandardAuxiliary ConstructionMixedVolitional And SuggestionGrammar

    Verb [た-form] + らどうですかPrimary

    This phrase helps you suggest something politely. It is like saying 'How about...?' or 'Why don't you...?' in English.

    疲つかれているようですから、今きょ日うは早はやく帰かえったらどうですか。

    You seem tired, so why don't you go home early today?

    PoliteNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingInvitationDaily LifeWork & Career
    この問もん題だいが解かい決けつできないなら、専せん門もん家かに相そう談だんしたらどうですか。

    If you can't solve this problem, how about consulting a specialist?

    PoliteNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingInvitationWork & CareerMedicine & Health
    健けん康こうのために、そんなに甘あまいものばかり食たべないようにしたらどうですか。

    For your health, why don't you try to avoid eating so many sweet things?

    PoliteNon PastNegativeSentence EndingInvitationFood & DiningMedicine & Health
    「もう少すこし詳くわしい資し料りょうを用よう意いしたらどうですか」と上じょう司しにアドバイスされました。

    My boss advised me, 'Why don't you prepare more detailed materials?'

    NeutralPastAffirmativeMid SentenceHearsayWork & CareerBusiness & Finance
    気き分ぶん転てん換かんに、週し末 はどこかへ旅りょ行こうしたらどうですか。

    For a change of pace, how about traveling somewhere this weekend?

    PoliteNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingInvitationTravel & TransportationDaily Life

    This phrase is like asking, "What if you did this?" It makes your suggestion gentle. But your voice is important. If you sound upset, it can feel like a complaint.

    This is a polite way to suggest something. It is different from "〜ませんか". That phrase asks someone to do something with you. This phrase gives advice only to them.

    Don't use this when talking to your boss. It can sound like you know more than them. For example, don't say "社長、もっと休んだらどうですか" (Shachou, motto yasundara dou desu ka?).

    More formal alternatives(1)

    〜たらどう?

    This phrase asks "How about...?" or "Why don't you...?" You use it to suggest something to someone. It can sound like advice, but sometimes it might seem a bit direct.

    条件形 (たら)

    This grammar means 'if' or 'when'. You use it to talk about things that might happen. You can also use it for a series of actions or to make suggestions.

    〜です / 〜でした

    This word means 'is' or 'am'. It connects two things. It makes your sentence polite.

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    Related concepts for this entry

    more_formal_than

    • 〜たらどう?

    Similar concepts

    • 〜ませんか

    prerequisite

    • 条件形 (たら)
    • 〜です / 〜でした
    • 〜たら?

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