よかったら
yokattara
The English phrase "if you want" can be translated into Japanese as よかったら (yokattara).
よかったら is a polite expression used when making a suggestion or an offer. It is used to soften the tone, making the suggestion sound less pushy and providing the listener with an easy way to decline without feeling obligated to accept.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is the conditional form of the adjective ii (good), so it literally means "if it is good" or "if it is fine".
Which one should you use?
While よかったら is common in daily conversation, the phrase もしよければ is a slightly more formal and polite alternative used in professional or respectful settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can add the adverb もし to the beginning of the phrase to create もしよかったら. Doing this emphasizes the conditional "if" nature of the suggestion, translating to "if it's okay with you" or "if you want".
How do you pronounce it?
yokattara
Did you know?
- When receiving an offer preceded by よかったら, a common Japanese social script is to decline once or twice before finally accepting to avoid appearing greedy.
- Because よかったら is the past tense form of the adjective ii, it can feel counterintuitive to an English speaker why a 'past' form is used for a suggestion about the future.
- In a business context, using よかったら can be too casual, so professionals often use もしよろしければ, which replaces the 'good' root with a highly formal version.
Examples in context
- もしよかったら、今トムと話したら？You can talk to Tom now if you want.This sentence uses よかったら to suggest a specific action.Tatoeba #3598304 by arnab, translation #3181921 by CK
- もしよかったら、Instagramのフォローをよろしく。私のユーザー名は「tatoebamaniac1002xyz」です。Follow me on Instagram if you want. My username there is tatoebamaniac1002xyz.This sentence uses よかったら to make a social media request.Tatoeba #10049436 by small_snow, translation #10047248 by Silja
- よかったらペットになるよ。I'll be your pet if you want.This sentence uses よかったら to make a personal offer.Tatoeba #10718286 by DJ_Saidez, translation #10518553 by DJ_Saidez
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki is inviting Kenta to a cafe.
- 美咲 Misakiよかったら、このカフェに行きませんか？yokattara, kono kafe ni ikimasen ka?If you want, would you like to go to this cafe?
- 健太 Kentaいいですね。ぜひ行きたいです。ii desu ne. zehi ikitai desu.That sounds good. I would love to go.
- 美咲 Misakiあそこはケーキがとても美味しいですよ。asoko wa keeki ga totemo oishii desu yo.The cakes there are very delicious.
- 健太 Kenta楽しみです。行きましょう！tanoshimi desu. ikimashou!I'm looking forward to it. Let's go!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
