Meaning & usage
たらどうですか offers a polite suggestion or piece of advice to the listener, with the meaning of why not do something or how about doing something. It attaches to the plain ta-form of a verb plus らどうですか, as in 行ったらどうですか or 聞いてみたらどうですか. It is softer than a command and is used for helpful proposals, not orders. Avoid respectful verb forms in this pattern, since honorifics clash with the advising tone.
Example sentences 5
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ご自分で作ってみたらどうですか。
Why don't you make it yourself?
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明日ゴルフをしたらどうですか。
How about playing golf tomorrow?
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私は分かりません。トムに聞いてみたらどうですか？
I don't know. Why don't you ask Tom?
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お金がいるんだったら、おかあさんから借りたらどうですか。
If you need some money, why don't you borrow some from your mother?
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今日は早退したらどうですか。
Why don't you go home early today?
In past JLPT papers
This came up in 3 past exam questions.
