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Languages Study | Languages of the East | Japanese III
Grammar II - 14.04 Grammar L4 - 007 Menu - Grammar
...たらどうですか -tara doo desu ka
 

たら どう です か - -ta-ra doo desu ka (".. was if - how is it?")
after a verb conveys advice or recommendation.

  The initial た stands for the same ending as in the past tense short form of a verb in the affirmative.
 

In casual speech, たらどうですか
may be shortened to たらどう - /.. was if - how it is?/
or たら - /.. was if?/.
   

もっと勉強したらどうですか。

Why don't you study harder?

motto benkyoo shi-ta-ra doo desu ka?

  
   
くすりを飲んだらどうですか。 How about taking some medicine?

kusuri-o non-da-ra doo desu ka?

  
   
  This pattern should not be used for extending visitations.
  Rather, use ...ませんか.
   
 

-ta-ra doo desu ka may sometimes have a critical tone,
criticizing the person for not having performed the activity already.
It is, therefore, safer not to use it unless you have been tapped for consultation.
  Compare:
うちに来ませんか。 Why don't you come to my place?
uchi-ni kimasen ka.  
  Better not to say so:
うちに来たらどうですか。 "(My) home came if, how about it?"
If you come to my place, how about it?
uchi-ni kitara doo desu ka?