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assuming / if it were the case that
Definition
The grammar pattern "Plain Form + としたら" is used to set up a strong hypothetical situation, focusing on the assumption itself and exploring what would happen or be felt if that specific condition were true. It is often used to express a strong hypothetical situation or a condition that is assumed to be true. This pattern is commonly used in N3-level Japanese language to express a hypothetical situation that is considered to be highly likely or certain.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Plain Form (基本形) | Plain Form + としたら | もし (Plain Form of 'もし' is not applicable here, but 'もし' is used as a conditional particle) + としたら |
| Plain Form (基本形) | Plain Form + としたら | Verb (動詞) + としたら |
| Plain Form (基本形) | Plain Form + としたら | Noun (名詞) + としたら |
Examples
もし宝くじで1億円当たったら何に使いますか。
moshi takarakuji de 1 oku-en atatara nan ni shimasu ka.
If I won 100 million yen in the lottery, what would I do with it?
もし (conditional particle) + 宝くじで (if I won the lottery) + 1億円当たったら (won 100 million yen) + 何に (what) + 使いますか (would I do)
明日世界が終わるなら君は何が食べたい?
ashita sekai ga owaru nara kimi wa nan ga tabetai?
If the world were to end tomorrow, what would you like to eat?
明日 (tomorrow) + 世界が終わる (the world would end) + なら (if) + 君は (you) + 何が (what) + 食べたい (would like to eat)
その話が本当だとしたら彼は今大変な状況にいるはずだ。
sono hanashi ga hontou da toshitara kare wa ima taihen na jōkyō ni iru hazu da.
If that story were true, he would be in a difficult situation now.
その話 (that story) + が本当だ (is true) + とした (if) + なら (then) + 彼は (he) + 今 (now) + 大変な状況 (difficult situation) + に (in) + いるはずだ (would be)
Context
This pattern is used to set up a strong hypothetical situation, focusing on the assumption itself. It is often used in N3-level Japanese language to express a hypothetical situation that is considered to be highly likely or certain. The plain form is used to indicate the hypothetical situation, and the としたら particle is used to indicate the consequence of that situation.
Watch out
While both 'toshitemo' and 'としたら' are used to express hypothetical situations, 'toshitemo' is more general and can be used for a wider range of situations, whereas 'としたら' is used for a stronger hypothetical situation that is considered to be highly likely or certain.
When using this pattern to express a future assumption, it is common to use the plain form to indicate the hypothetical situation, and the としたら particle to indicate the consequence. Using the past tense can make the sentence sound less hypothetical and more like a statement of fact.
While both 'toieba' and 'としたら' are used to express hypothetical situations, 'toieba' is more general and can be used for a wider range of situations, whereas 'としたら' is used for a stronger hypothetical situation that is considered to be highly likely or certain.
Strategy
When using this pattern on the JLPT exam, make sure to use the plain form to indicate the hypothetical situation, and the としたら particle to indicate the consequence. Also, be careful not to confuse this pattern with other similar patterns, such as 'toshitemo' or 'toieba'.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N3 test-style questions. Each sentence shows Plain Form + としたら used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
もし宝くじで1億円当たったとしたら、何に使いますか。
Pattern used: としたら
'としたら' is used here to set up the hypothetical assumption of winning the lottery.
明日世界が終わるとしたら、君は何が食べたい？
Pattern used: としたら
'としたら' creates the hypothetical scenario of the world ending.
その話が本当だとしたら、彼は今大変な状況にいるはずだ。
Pattern used: としたら
Used to make a deduction based on the assumption that 'the story is true'.
Interactive
もし宝くじで1億円当たった______、何に使いますか。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.