～たら どうですか

N4

～たら どうですか

~tara doudesuka

How about if you ~? / Why don't you ~?

N4

Show furigana

Display reading hints above kanji

Explanation

The ～たら どうですか grammar point is used to gently make suggestions or give advice. It attaches to the た-form of verbs and can be translated as 'what if', 'how about', or 'why don't you'. It is a polite way to recommend an action.

Structure

Pattern
Verb-た form + ら どうですか
Verb-た formThe past tense (た-form) of the verb.
Examples: 行った (went), 読んだ (read), 休んだ (rested), 帰った (returned)
らConditional particle meaning 'if'.
Examples:
どうですかPhrase meaning 'how about' or 'what do you think'.
Examples:

Examples

Example 1
スキーに行ったらどうですか？
Sukii ni ittara doudesuka?
How about going skiing?
Breakdown
スキーskiing
にto
行ったらif (you) go
どうですかhow about
Example 2
少し休んだらどうですか？
Sukoshi yasundara doudesuka?
What if you take a little break?
Breakdown
少しa little
休んだらif (you) rest
どうですかhow about
Example 3
この本を読んだらどうですか？
Kono hon wo yondara doudesuka?
Why don't you read this book?
Breakdown
このthis
本book
をobject marker
読んだらif (you) read
どうですかhow about
Example 4
タクシーで帰ったらどうですか？
Takushii de kaettara doudesuka?
How about going home by taxi?
Breakdown
タクシーでby taxi
帰ったらif (you) go home
どうですかhow about

Related Grammar

Practice Exercises →
HomeKanjiBoardsCardsDrillVocabularyShadowNewsLibraryStoriesAccountSettings