if ~, when ~, after ~

Beginner

10-15 min

common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Conditional form, more versatile than ば. Can express "if", "when", or "after".

[Past tense た/だ] + ら

雨が降ったら、中止します。

Ame ga futtara, chuushi shimasu.

If it rains, we'll cancel.

家に帰ったら、電話してください。

Ie ni kaettara, denwa shite kudasai.

When you get home, please call.

たら can be used for commands/requests (unlike ば).

～ば (ba form)

if ~, when ~

～と (to conditional)

whenever ~, if ~ (natural consequence)

～てもいいです

may do ~, it's okay to do ~

～てはいけません

must not do ~, not allowed to do ~

～なければなりません

must do ~, have to do ~

～なくてもいいです

don't have to do ~, don't need to do ~

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 10

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