how about doing, why not do

The たら form plus どうですか makes a gentle suggestion: how about doing this? It is softer than たほうがいい. In casual speech it becomes たらどう or simply たら with rising intonation.

Examples

• 少すこし休やすんだらどうですか。

  Sukoshi yasundara dou desu ka.

  How about taking a short rest?

• 先生せんせいに聞きいてみたらどうですか。

  Sensei ni kiite mitara dou desu ka.

  Why not try asking the teacher?

Vocabulary in these examples

• 少し a little
• 休む to rest; to take a day off
• どう how
• 先生 teacher
• 聞く to listen; to ask

Related patterns · Obligation and advice

• 〜なければならない must, have to
• 〜なくてもいい do not have to
• 〜たほうがいい had better do, should do (advice)