In this lesson, you will learn another use of the Japanese grammar ～たら (tara).
Your classmate asks you about your plans after class. You are thinking of going to a cafe after class ends. What would you say in Japanese?
In such a case, you could say: "授業が終わったら、カフェへ行きます （じゅぎょうがおわったら、カフェへいきます）。"
Meaning of ～たら② (Definite Condition)
～たら② is used to describe a definite condition.
It means that when A happens (which is certain to occur), B will naturally follow.
The speaker considers the first action or event to be certain or already decided.
授業が終わったら、カフェへ行きます。
After class ends, I will go to a cafe.
In this sentence, “the class ending” is a future event that the speaker believes will definitely happen.
Key Difference from ～たら① (Hypothetical Condition)
Compare the following example:
雨が降ったら、映画を見に行きませんか。
If it rains, why don't we go see a movie?
Here, whether it will rain or not is uncertain. The speaker is making a suggestion based on a possibility.
That is why this usage is called ～たら① (Hypothetical Condition).
In contrast, ～たら② is used when the condition is considered certain.
👉 You can review ～たら①– If / Conditional here:
Form of ～たら②
The form of ～たら② is:
Verb (past plain form) + ら
終わります → 終わったら
帰ります → 帰ったら
⚠️ This usage is mainly used with affirmative verb forms.
Examples of ～たら②
1. 山本さんが来たら、教えてください。
Please let me know when Mr. Yamamoto arrives.
2. 10時になったら、出発しましょう。
Let's leave when it becomes 10 o’clock.
3. 家に帰ったら、すぐシャワーを浴びます。
I take a shower as soon as I get home.
4. 食べ終わったら、皿を洗ってください。
Please wash the dishes after you finish eating.
5. 仕事が終わったら、飲みに行きませんか。
Would you like to go for a drink after work?
6. 駅に着いたら、連絡します。
I’ll contact you when I arrive at the station.
7. 朝起きたら、まずコーヒーを飲みます。
When I wake up in the morning, I drink coffee first.
8. 次の電車が来たら、乗りましょう。
When the next train comes, let’s get on it.
9. 旅行から帰ったら、友達にお土産をあげます。
When I return from the trip, I’ll give my friends souvenirs.
10. 準備ができたら、知らせてください。
Please let me know when you are ready.
Comparison: ～たら① vs ～たら②
| ～たら① (Hypothetical Condition) |
～たら② (Definite Condition) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Condition | Uncertain / possible situation | Certain or expected situation |
| Usage | Suggestions, invitations, ideas | Plans, natural sequence of actions |
| Example | 雨が降ったら、映画を見に行きませんか。 | 授業が終わったら、カフェへ行きます。 |
