N1 Conditions, Dependencies, and Consequences

~たら~たで: meaning, usage and examples

~たら~たで means: if... then... (new problems arise).

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. 給料きゅうりょうが上あがったら上あがったで、税金ぜいきんも高たかくなる。

   If my salary goes up, then taxes also go up.

2. 子供こどもができたらできたで、また別べつの悩なやみが出でてくる。

   If we have children, then new worries will arise.

3. 車くるまがないと不便ふべんだが、あったらあったで維持いじ費ひがかかる。

   Not having a car is inconvenient, but if you do have one, it costs money to maintain.

4. 暇ひまなときは退屈たいくつだが、忙いそがしかったら忙いそがしかったで疲つかれてしまう。

   When I have free time I get bored, but when I am busy, I get worn out instead.

When to use it

Means "if X happens, then that brings its own problem (or its own good side)." The speaker notes that even a situation people want, or one they worried about, comes with something else. For example, 車くるまがあったらあったで維持いじ費ひがかかる (if you have a car, then it costs money to keep).

Nuance

Conversational and slightly wry. The same word is repeated. It usually follows a contrast with the opposite situation (no car is inconvenient; having one costs money). The second half is often a new trouble, but it can also be "that is fine too": 失敗しっぱいしたら失敗しっぱいしたでいい経験けいけんだ.

Compare

Compare ば〜で: 晴はれれば晴はれたで暑あつい has the same feeling. Plain たら just states a condition: 給料きゅうりょうが上あがったら旅行りょこうする. たら〜たで adds "even this has its own side": 上あがったら上あがったで税金ぜいきんが増ふえる.

Tip: Repeat the word exactly: 忙いそがしかったら忙いそがしかったで, not 忙いそがしかったら忙いそがしいで. Expect the opposite situation to be mentioned or implied first.