～たらいい・～たらどうですか
Ask for or suggest a course of action
You'll be able to ask for guidance with ～たらいい and offer advice or suggestions using ～たらいい and ～たらどうですか.
少し休んだらどうですか。
sukoshi yasundara dou desu ka.
What do you think this sentence means?
How about resting for a while?
Offer advice or ask what to do
～たらいい suggests a good course of action. ～たらどうですか offers a suggestion as “how about…?” Questions such as どうしたらいいですか ask for advice.
先生に聞いたらいいですよ。
sensei ni kiitara ii desu yo.
You could ask the teacher.
Form and use ～たらいい・～たらどうですか
The form is conditional, not a report of a past action. ～たらどうですか may sound pointed when repeated or said sharply, so match your tone to the relationship.
先生に聞いたらいいですよ。
sensei ni kiitara ii desu yo.
You could ask the teacher.
少し休んだらどうですか。
sukoshi yasundara dou desu ka.
Why don't you rest a little?
どこで切符を買ったらいいですか。
doko de kippu o kattara ii desu ka.
Where should I buy a ticket?
そんなに心配なら、病院に行ったらどうですか。
sonna ni shinpai nara, byouin ni ittara dou desu ka.
If you're that worried, why don't you go to the hospital?
駅までどうやって行ったらいいですか。
eki made dou yatte ittara ii desu ka.
How should I get to the station?
母の誕生日のプレゼントは、何を買ったらいいですか。
haha no tanjoubi no purezento wa, nani o kattara ii desu ka.
What should I buy my mother for her birthday?
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