Japanese learning (A3 S25): Preconditional Clause with “-tara,”; One thing has Happened, and then What to come next; [V-ta]+tara, [Main Clause].

Yesterday, we learned the following construction;

1. [Preconditional Clause] + tara, [Main Clause].

In this construction, the preconditional clause has the predicates of a verb, I-adjective, Na-adjective, and Noun. Today, we are learning the same construction, but its predicates in the preconditional clause are limited to be verbs. In such case, the description below would be better to understand;

2. [Verb Clause] + tara, [Main Clause].

=> [V-ta] + ra, [What to do/What to happen next].

If a verb is in Ta-form, it means the action of the verb has been completed. Although I often call Ta-form “past/perfect tense”, but let us focus on “perfect” this time. Because Ta-form is used not only for action in the past, but also for action in the future, which will be completed in the future.

Here are exapmles;

3. Satou-san ga Kitara, Isshoni Dekake mashou. (Once Sato-san come here, let us go outside together.)

4. Kaisha ni Tsuitara, Sugu Pasokon o Tsukemasu. (As soon as I arrive at the office, I turn on my computer.)

5. Go-ji Han ni Nattara, Ie ni Kaeritai desu. (Come Five-thirty, I want to go home.)

Yesterday’s “’tara’ precondition” was just an assumed condition. Such conditions are often stative especially for the precondition clause that has a predicate of I-adjective, Na-adjective, or Noun. On the other, today’s “’tara’ precondition” describes something gets completed. Therefore, verb is used for the predicate in the precondition clause. As you see in the sentence 3 to 5, “Kita”, “Tsuita”, and “Natta” are all Ta-forms. Ta-form has the function to express that action has been completed. What is said in the main clause is what will you do (or what will happen) after an action in the precondition clause was completed. So, for this nature, the probability of occurrence of the preconditional clause tends to be higher than yesterday’s “tara precondition”s. “Sato-san ga Kitara” in 3 is about to happen, “Kaisha ni Tsuitara” in 4 is an everyday thing, and “Go-ji Han ni Nattara” in 5 is bound to happen.

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This post was written with reference to the exercise A3 on Section25 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”