If / When: 〜たら

Learn the flexible conditional 〜たら and how it is used for future conditions, discovery, and sequence.

Understand the basic meaning of 〜たら as 'if' or 'when.'Form 〜たら correctly from past plain forms.Use 〜たら naturally for future conditions, discoveries, and advice.

Guided study

Core idea

〜たら is a flexible conditional that can mean 'if' or 'when.' It often implies that the first event happens before the second event.

時間があったら、映画を見ます。

If I have time, I will watch a movie.

〜たら can introduce a future condition.

駅に着いたら、電話してください。

When you arrive at the station, please call me.

Requests after the condition is met are very natural with 〜たら.

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