JLPT N5 grammar
～たら — Meaning & Examples
Most versatile "if". Past tense + ら. Safe for almost any conditional.
Expressing "If" — ～たら
The most versatile "if" in Japanese.
Form: past tense + ら
たべたら = if (I) eat
やすかったら = if it's cheap
あめがふったら、いきません。 — If it rains, I won't go.
やすかったら、かいます。 — If it's cheap, I'll buy it.
にほんにいったら、すしをたべたいです。 — If I go to Japan, I want to eat sushi.
たら is the safest choice — works in almost any "if" situation.
Practice questions
Try these 2 questions on ～たら. Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. "あめがふったら" means?
- If it rains
- When it rained
- Because it rains
- It rained
Show answer
Answer: If it rains
～たら = if ~. Most versatile conditional.
2. When use ～と instead of ～たら?
- Polite speech
- Automatic results
- Past events
- Negative conditions
Show answer
Answer: Automatic results
～と = natural, automatic consequences that always happen.
Practise ～たら in the free app
This point is part of the “Conditionals and Opinions” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N5 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N5 grammar points
From the same lesson: Conditionals and Opinions
Frequently asked questions
What does ～たら mean?
Most versatile "if". Past tense + ら. Safe for almost any conditional.
Is ～たら on the JLPT N5 test?
～たら is taught in the JLPT N5 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “Conditionals and Opinions”), 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 “Conditionals and Opinions” 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 N5 mock exams, with no ads.