Phrase in 30 Seconds
A polite way to suggest an action to someone, literally asking 'How would it be if you did...?'
- Means: 'Why don't you...?' or 'How about...?' in a helpful, suggestive tone.
- Used in: Giving advice to friends, colleagues, or subordinates who are facing a problem.
- Don't confuse: Never use this with superiors; it can sound bossy or condescending.
Explicación a tu nivel:
Significado
A suggestion or recommendation, asking for an opinion on a course of action.
Contexto cultural
Indirectness is key. Even when giving advice, Japanese people often use '〜てみる' (try doing) with '〜たらどうですか' to make it even softer. In meetings, suggestions are often phrased as questions to avoid appearing as if one is imposing their will on the group. Parents use the casual '〜たら？' frequently with children, but it can sound like a nagging command if the tone is sharp. On Japanese forums, users often use this phrase to help strangers, but they usually add '〜てみては？' for a more polite, distant feel.
Add '〜てみる'
Always try to use '〜てみたらどうですか' instead of just '〜たらどうですか'. It adds a layer of 'try it out and see', which is much more natural and polite.
The 'Boss' Rule
If you must suggest something to a boss, use '〜てみてはいかがでしょうか' or '〜てみるのはどうでしょうか'.
Add '〜てみる'
Always try to use '〜てみたらどうですか' instead of just '〜たらどうですか'. It adds a layer of 'try it out and see', which is much more natural and polite.
The 'Boss' Rule
If you must suggest something to a boss, use '〜てみてはいかがでしょうか' or '〜てみるのはどうでしょうか'.
Wait for the cue
Don't offer advice unless the person has expressed a problem or asked for help. Unsolicited advice can be seen as intrusive.
Ponte a prueba
Complete the suggestion using the verb in parentheses.
{疲|つか}れているなら、{早|はや}く ( {寝|ね}る ) 〜たらどうですか？
You must use the past short form (Ta-form) before 'ra'.
Which of these is the most appropriate way to suggest a book to a friend?
Which sentence is correct?
The first option follows the correct grammar: Ta-form + ra + dou desu ka.
Match the problem with the best suggestion.
Problem: 'I want to learn Japanese faster.'
Watching anime is a relevant suggestion for learning Japanese.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: {道|みち}に{迷|まよ}いました。 B: {交番|こうばん}で ______ どうですか？
The context requires the past form of 'kiku' (to ask) + 'ra'.
Identify the WRONG usage.
Which of these is socially incorrect?
You should never give direct advice like this to a superior.
🎉 Puntuación: /5
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
6 ejercicios{疲|つか}れているなら、{早|はや}く ( {寝|ね}る ) 〜たらどうですか？
You must use the past short form (Ta-form) before 'ra'.
Which sentence is correct?
The first option follows the correct grammar: Ta-form + ra + dou desu ka.
Problem: 'I want to learn Japanese faster.'
Watching anime is a relevant suggestion for learning Japanese.
A: {道|みち}に{迷|まよ}いました。 B: {交番|こうばん}で ______ どうですか？
The context requires the past form of 'kiku' (to ask) + 'ra'.
Which of these is socially incorrect?
You should never give direct advice like this to a superior.
🎉 Puntuación: /6
Preguntas frecuentes
4 preguntasNo, it's better to avoid it. Use '〜てはいかがでしょうか' instead.
It's not rude, but it's very casual. Use it only with close friends or family.
'〜ほうがいい' is a stronger recommendation, almost like 'you should'. '〜たらどうですか' is a softer 'how about...?'
No. For invitations like 'Why don't we go?', use '〜ませんか'.
Frases relacionadas
〜ほうがいい
similarIt's better to...
〜てはいかがですか
specialized formHow about...?
〜なさい
contrastDo [action].
〜てみませんか
similarWon't you try...?
〜ればいい
similarYou should just...
Dónde usarla
At a Restaurant
Friend A: 何を食べようかな。迷っちゃう。
Friend B: この店のラーメン、美味しいよ。食べてみたらどう？
In the Office
Colleague A: パソコンの調子が悪いんです。
Colleague B: 一度、再起動してみたらどうですか？
Health Concern
Person A: 昨日から頭が痛いんです。
Person B: それは大変ですね。早く病院に行ったらどうですか？
Travel Planning
Traveler: 京都でどこに行けばいいですか？
Local: 朝早く金閣寺に行ってみたらどうですか？
Dating Advice
Friend A: 彼女に何をプレゼントすればいいかな？
Friend B: 花をあげたらどう？
Language Learning
Student: 漢字がなかなか覚えられません。
Teacher: 毎日、少しずつ書いたらどうですか？
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
Think of 'Tara' as a helpful friend named Tara who always asks 'How (dou) is it?'
Asociación visual
Imagine a fork in the road. One path is labeled 'Tara' (the action). A friendly guide stands there asking 'How about this way?'
Rhyme
Done with 'Ta', add a 'ra', ask 'dou desu ka'!
Story
You are lost in Tokyo. A kind local named Tara-san sees you looking at a map. He points to a nearby station and says, 'If you go there (ittara), how is it (dou desu ka)?' He isn't forcing you, just suggesting a better route.
In Other Languages
Similar to the English 'Why don't you...?' or the Korean '-는 게 어때요?'. Both use a question format to soften a suggestion.
Word Web
Desafío
Today, find three opportunities to give a 'soft suggestion' to a friend or study partner using '〜たらどう？'.
Review this phrase 1 day, 3 days, and 1 week after learning to solidify the 'Ta-form' conjugation.
Pronunciación
Short and crisp. Don't elongate the 'a'.
The 'ou' is a long 'o' sound. The 'u' in 'desu' is often silent.
Espectro de formalidad
こちらを{召|め}し{上|あ}がってみたらいかがですか？ (Food recommendation)
これを{食|た}べてみたらどうですか？ (Food recommendation)
これ{食|た}べてみたらどう？ (Food recommendation)
これ{食|た}えば？ (Food recommendation)
Derived from the Muromachi-period development of the 'tara' conditional, which combined the perfective 'ta' with the conditional 'ra'.
Dato curioso
The 'tara' in this phrase is the same 'tara' found in the famous Japanese folk tale character 'Urashima Taro' (though the kanji differ, the sound is iconic).
Notas culturales
Indirectness is key. Even when giving advice, Japanese people often use '〜てみる' (try doing) with '〜たらどうですか' to make it even softer.
“{聞|き}いてみたらどうですか？ (Why don't you try asking?)”
In meetings, suggestions are often phrased as questions to avoid appearing as if one is imposing their will on the group.
“こちらの{案|あん}も{検討|けんとう}してみたらいかがですか？”
Parents use the casual '〜たら？' frequently with children, but it can sound like a nagging command if the tone is sharp.
“{宿題|しゅくだい}、さっさとやったら？”
On Japanese forums, users often use this phrase to help strangers, but they usually add '〜てみては？' for a more polite, distant feel.
“まずは{公式|こうしき}サイトを{確認|かくにん}してみては？”
Inicios de conversación
{最近|さいきん}、{体|からだ}の{調子|ちょうし}がよくないんです。
{日本語|にほんご}の{語彙|ごい}がなかなか{増|ふ}えません。
{東京|とうきょう}でどこに{泊|と}まればいいか{迷|まよ}っています。
Errores comunes
社長、もっと休んだらどうですか？
社長、少しお休みになってはいかがでしょうか。
L1 Interference
行くらどうですか？
行ったらどうですか？
L1 Interference
食べたらどうですか？ (to a crying baby)
食べようね / 食べなさい
L1 Interference
明日、映画を見たらどうですか？ (as an invitation)
明日、映画を見に行きませんか？
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
Why don't you...?
Japanese version is not used for invitations.
¿Por qué no...?
Spanish is more flexible with hierarchy.
Et si...?
French version is often more of a dream or a 'what if' than direct advice.
Wie wäre es, wenn...?
German can be more wordy.
-는 게 어때요?
Korean uses a nominalized form rather than a conditional.
要不...?
Chinese version is often used to suggest a new plan when the first one fails.
لماذا لا...؟ (Limadha la...?)
Arabic intonation plays a larger role in distinguishing advice from a real question.
Que tal...?
Portuguese version is often followed by a noun or an infinitive verb.
Spotted in the Real World
“{病院|びょういん}に{行|い}ったらどうだい？”
The Master suggests a regular customer see a doctor for their persistent cough.
“もっと{女子力|じょしりょく}を{上|あ}げたらどう？”
Friends teasing Mitsuha about her behavior.
Fácil de confundir
Learners mix up 'dou' (how) and 'ii' (good).
Use 'dou' to give advice to others; use 'ii' to ask for advice for yourself.
Both can be translated as 'Why don't you...?'
Use '〜ませんか' when you want to do the action WITH them.
Preguntas frecuentes (4)
No, it's better to avoid it. Use '〜てはいかがでしょうか' instead.
usage contextsIt's not rude, but it's very casual. Use it only with close friends or family.
grammar mechanics'〜ほうがいい' is a stronger recommendation, almost like 'you should'. '〜たらどうですか' is a softer 'how about...?'
comparisonsNo. For invitations like 'Why don't we go?', use '〜ませんか'.
common mistakes
