Meaning
A gentle suggestion to the listener. Polite: 〜たらどうですか; casual: 〜たらどう? It is not used to advise oneself.
Formation
- Vた + ら + どうですか: 休んだらどうですか
- Casual: 〜たらどう? or just 〜たら?
- More polite: 〜たらいかがですか
When to use it
- Core use
- Why not …? — a gentle suggestion
Example
疲れているなら少し休んだらどうですか
If you are tired, why don't you rest a little?
Important notes
- Pay attention to the word form before the construction and to the particles around it.
Common mistakes
- Do not translate the pattern word for word; first identify its function in the whole situation.