JLPT N4 grammar
〜たら — Meaning & Examples
The all-purpose conditional. Past (た) form + ら. Means "if" OR "when/after". Can be followed by ANY ending — commands, requests, intentions, past discoveries. The safest choice.
〜たら — The All-Purpose "If / When"
〜たら is the most flexible conditional — if you're ever unsure which to use, たら is usually safe.
Form: past plain (た) form + ら
たべる → たべたら、行く → 行ったら、安い → 安かったら、だ → だったら (taberu → tabetara, iku → ittara, yasui → yasukattara, da → dattara)
Use 1: conditional "if"
雨が降ったら、行きません。(ame ga futtara, ikimasen.)
= If it rains, I won't go.
Use 2: "when / after" (sequence)
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 me.
Use 3: past discovery (something unexpected)
ドアを開けたら、猫がいた。(doa o aketara, neko ga ita.)
= When I opened the door, there was a cat (surprise!).
Why たら is special: Unlike と, it CAN be followed by commands, requests, and intentions. たら covers the widest range of situations — master this one first.
Practice questions
Try these 3 questions on 〜たら. Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. "Press this button and the door opens (automatically)" uses?
- 押せば (oseba)
- 押すと (osu to)
- 押したら (oshitara)
- 押すなら (osu nara)
Show answer
Answer: 押すと (osu to)
と = automatic result. ボタンを押すとドアが開きます — a predictable, every-time consequence.
2. The ば-form of いく is?
- いけば (ikeba)
- いったら (ittara)
- いくと (iku to)
- いこう (ikou)
Show answer
Answer: いけば (ikeba)
Group 1: change う-row to え-row + ば. いく → いけば (if you go).
3. 〜たら attaches to which form?
- Dictionary form
- Past (た) form
- ない-form
- て-form
Show answer
Answer: Past (た) form
たら = past plain form + ら. 行く→行ったら、たべる→たべたら. The most versatile conditional.
Practise 〜たら in the free app
This point is part of the “The Four Conditionals — と・ば・たら・なら” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N4 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N4 grammar points
From the same lesson: The Four Conditionals — と・ば・たら・なら
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜たら mean?
The all-purpose conditional. Past (た) form + ら. Means "if" OR "when/after". Can be followed by ANY ending — commands, requests, intentions, past discoveries. The safest choice.
Is 〜たら on the JLPT N4 test?
〜たら is taught in the JLPT N4 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “The Four Conditionals — と・ば・たら・なら”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise 〜たら?
Open the “The Four Conditionals — と・ば・たら・なら” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N4 mock exams, with no ads.