〜たら: This is like saying "If I do this..." but you don't finish the sentence. You want the other person to think about what happens next.

This shows an action finished in the past. It also shows something that was true before now.

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.

This is like saying "but..." or "and..." in English. You use it to make your sentence sound softer. It hints that you have more to say.

〜なら

You use this to talk about something already mentioned. It helps you add a comment or suggestion about that topic.

More formal alternatives(2)

〜りゃ

This is a very casual way to say "if." It is a shorter version of 〜れば.

〜きゃ

This is a short way to say you "have to" do something. It is like saying "gotta" in English.

This shows an action finished in the past. It also shows something that was true before now.

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.

This is like saying "but..." or "and..." in English. You use it to make your sentence sound softer. It hints that you have more to say.

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Dictionary

〜たら

This is like saying "If I do this..." but you don't finish the sentence. You want the other person to think about what happens next.

N4 KMT4CasualDiscourse MarkerSpoken OnlyAbbreviated Conditionals CasualGrammar

Verb [た-form] + らPrimary

い-Adjective [past] + ら

な-Adjective [past] + ら

Noun + だった + ら

This is like saying "If I do this..." but you don't finish the sentence. You want the other person to think about what happens next.

A:「このケーキ、どう思う？」 B:「うーん、もう少し甘さ控えめだったら…」

A: "What do you think of this cake?" B: "Hmm, if it were a little less sweet..."

CasualNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingHypotheticalFood & Dining

「もし、魔法が使えたら…」と子供は夢見るように言った。

"'If I could use magic...' the child said, as if dreaming.

NeutralPastAffirmativeMid SentenceHypotheticalLiterature Emotions & Psychology

A:「この映画、見に行かない？」 B:「うーん、ホラーじゃなかったら…」

A: "Wanna go see this movie?" B: "Hmm, if it weren't a horror movie..."

CasualNon PastNegativeSentence EndingHypotheticalMusic & Entertainment

A:「昨日の試合、勝てたのにね。」 B:「本当に。あのミスがなかったら…」

A: "We could have won yesterday's match." B: "I know, right? If only that mistake hadn't happened..."

CasualPastNegativeSentence EndingHypotheticalSports & Martial Arts

時間があったら、ちょっとお茶でも…

If you have time, maybe we could get some tea or something...

CasualNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingInvitationDaily Life Food & Dining

Use this when you want to make a soft suggestion. You stop talking before the end of your sentence. This lets the other person guess what you mean. Or they can finish your thought for you.

Often confused with(4)

This shows an action finished in the past. It also shows something that was true before now.

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.

This is like saying "but..." or "and..." in English. You use it to make your sentence sound softer. It hints that you have more to say.

〜なら

You use this to talk about something already mentioned. It helps you add a comment or suggestion about that topic.

More formal alternatives(2)

〜りゃ

This is a very casual way to say "if." It is a shorter version of 〜れば.

〜きゃ

This is a short way to say you "have to" do something. It is like saying "gotta" in English.

This shows an action finished in the past. It also shows something that was true before now.

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.