たら ば
tara (Jump to the future)
ba 5-minute Japanese Class by Hitomi Hirayama
I think I'm getting used to using "nara" and "to" in my daily Until today, I think most of you have studied and understood the grammatical explanations of the subjective form by reading
conversation. Even though I sometimes get confused and make various textbooks. But I think it's true that you may be distressed, and saying, "But I cannot say anything because I don't know how
mistakes, I still try to use them. What I would like to do now is to to use them." I hear this kind of thing from a lot of students. I explained the subjunctive form in the past two lessons (vols. 84 and
learn how to use "tara" and "ba." I will then become an expert on 85), and you may be puzzled on some points because I focused on explaining usage, rather than grammar. It is really important to
the subjunctive form. It will help me enjoy daily conversation much understand my explanations first and use the subjunctive form like Mr. Pole, who makes mistakes but tries to use them.
more, and I hope to make a lot of friends!
3. Weak suggestion : If there is something you find that is difficult to say, you
Future trip may put it in question form, so that the listener can answer Yes or No. That makes
たら a suggestion less forthright. The tone rises at the end of a question. ば
tara ba
Why don't you save some money?
Present in the Future 少し節約したら？
sukoshi setsuyaku shitara? → Z Hidden meaning : Although " ba" can be replaced by " tara," a
ZZ
1. "hidden
1. Future trip : Future / Hope / Emergency / Happening / meaning behind the reality" is emphasized by using "ba."
As soon as / ___ then ___, etc.: Why don't you wait for a while?
If only I repair it, I can use it. → It's not repaired at this moment, so I cannot use it.
Z Z
もう少し待ったら？
When talking about a future event, "tara" is most frequently
mo- sukoshi mattara? → 修理すれば使えます。
used among "tara / ba / nara / to."
shu-ri sureba tsukaemasu
・future: When my schedule is fixed, I'll let you know. Why don't you take a rest? If only you were experienced, I would want you to work here.
スケジュールが決まったら連絡します。 休んだら？ →You are not experienced, so I cannot hire you.
schedule ga kimattara renraku shimasu yasundara? →
経験があれば働いてもらいたいのですが。
・hope: (Frequently asked question of children) ke-ken ga areba hataraite-moraitai no desu ga
What would you like to be when you grow up?
大人になったら何になりたい？ 2. Strong suggestion : It sounds pushy, so most likely people at a higher level would
otona ni nattara nani ni naritai ? use this phrase to people of a lower level. The tone drops at the end of a question.
・emergency: Please call 119 in case of fire. Why not think more deeply?
火事になったら１１９番に電話して下さい。 もっとよく考えれば
→
kaji ni nattara 119-ban ni denwa shite motto yoku kangaereba
4. Unrealistic dream : When something is highly unlikely to become reality,
kudasai. "moshi" (if) is placed at the beginning of the sentence. (If you don't feel good) Why not go home?
・advice: If you drink, don't drive. If there were 30 hours a day, I would sleep for 15 hours. 帰れば →
お酒を飲んだら運転しないで下さい。 kaereba
もし１日が30時間あったら15時間寝ます。
osake o nondara unten shinaide kudasai
moshi ichi-nichi ga 30-jikan attara 15-jikan nemasu
3. Past habit
・as soon as: As soon as I confirm your payment, I’ll send you the item. When I had a free time, I used to play video games.
入金が確認出来たら品物を送ります。 5. Surprise (when surprised) / Emergency / Discovery! 暇さえあればゲームをしていた。
nyu-kin ga kakunin dekitara shinamono o okurimasu
hima sae areba game o shiteita
たら
・--- then ---: If I make a copy, I will bring it to you. (Past tense)
tara 4. Proverbs :
コピーをしたら持って行きます。
When I was about to pay, I didn't have enough money! More haste, less speed. Life is not all beer and skittles.
copy o shitara motte-ikimasu
支払おうとしたらお金が足りなかった！ 急がば回れ 楽あれば苦あり
shiharao- to shitara okane ga tarinakatta isogaba maware raku areba ku ari
2. Advice : Asking for advice
Where should I put this? When I input the password, it was incorrect. To every bird his own nest is best.
これはどこに置いたらいいですか？ パスワードを入力したら違っていた。 住めば都
-
kore wa doko ni oitara i desu ka? password o nyu-ryoku shitara chigatteita sumeba miyako
With cooperation from Yasuhiro Koga
Copyright 2008 The Yomiuri Shimbun
