Structure
Verb［たら］+ どう + だ？
Verb［たら］+ どう + （か）？
Verb［たら］ ？
Details
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Standard
About たらどう
When the conjunction particle たら is used before the adverb どう, it primarily presents a situation, then asks a question about it potentially happening. This construction can be translated as 'why don't you (A)?', or 'what if you did (A)?'. Realistically, it just means 'when (A), how about that?'. It is often used for giving advice.
To use this expression, convert the verb that you want to use into its たら form, and then add どう.
Sometimes たら is used by itself, with a tone that implies that it is a question (or simply by adding a question mark in written language). This is an abbreviation of たらどう, and carries the same nuance.
だ or か may be added to the end of たらどう, to emphasize the 'question' even further. However, they are not required.
Caution
Despite being used for giving advice, たらどう may be interpreted as criticism. Due to this, care will need to be taken with your tone of voice.
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たまには頭を使ったらどう？Why don't you use your head occasionally? (You should try thinking for once)
Synonyms
Examples
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公園に遊びに行ったらどうですか。
Why don't you go to play in the park?
あそこのゴミを拾ったらどうですか。
Why don't you go pick up that garbage over there?
ダイエットをしてみたらどう？
Why don't you try dieting?
そんなに彼が好きだったら、付き合ったらどう？
If you like him that much, why don't you go out with him?
日本に居て寂しいなら、アメリカに帰ったらどう？
If you feel lonely in Japan, why don't you go back to America?
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たらどう – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (16 in total)
sergimas
Sorry, i know It’s been asked before in this thread but I have not seen it answered, can we use the ば conditional with this construction or the nuance would be different?
Thanks!
EbonyMidget
sergimas
Thanks for the link!
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