〜たらどうですか tara dou desu ka
〜たらどうですか（tara dou desu ka）means “why don't you ...?; how about ...?”. Attached to the た-form, it gently suggests or recommends that the listener do something: 'Why don't you . Formation: V-た + らどうですか
why don't you ...?; how about ...?
N4Formation
V-た + らどうですか
Explanation
Attached to the た-form, it gently suggests or recommends that the listener do something: 'Why don't you ...?' / 'How about ...ing?'. Literally 'how would it be if you did ...?'. Used to give advice, often when the listener has a problem.
Examples
Note
Suggests action TO the listener, so it can sound pushy with superiors; soften with 〜たらどうでしょうか or 〜てみては. Don't confuse with 〜たらいいですか, which ASKS for advice rather than gives it.
FAQ
〜たらどうですか — what does it mean and how is it used?
why don't you ...?; how about ...?. Attached to the た-form, it gently suggests or recommends that the listener do something: 'Why don't you ...?' / 'How about ...ing?'. Literally 'how would it be if you did ...?'. Used to give advice, often when the listener has a problem.
〜たらどうですか — how do you form it?
V-た + らどうですか
〜たらどうですか — any usage notes?
Suggests action TO the listener, so it can sound pushy with superiors; soften with 〜たらどうでしょうか or 〜てみては. Don't confuse with 〜たらいいですか, which ASKS for advice rather than gives it.