How to Say ‘If/when they come’ in Japanese
来たら
ki tara
[ki tara]
💬 Usage Tip: [たら] after a verb often means "if/when that happens." In [来たら], the dictionary form [来る] changes to the past-style [来た], then adds [ら]: [着いたら電話して] = call me when you arrive.
Phrase Breakdown
来
ki
[ki]
come
The verb stem/kanji part of 来たら, from 来る, meaning to come.
友だちが来たら知らせて。
Let me know when your friend comes.
たら
tara
[tara]
if; when
A conditional ending meaning if or when, attached here to 来 to form 来たら.
駅に着いたら電話して。
Call me when you arrive at the station.
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