To provide a door latch device for an automobile, which detects an opening/closing state of a door and prevents a key from being left in the automobile, without increasing the number of components.

A detection lever 10, which is turned in synchronization with a meshing means 7, is provided with a detection part 10e for operating a detection switch 39, and an inhibition part 10c. The inhibition part 10c inhibits a locking/unlocking means 13 from switching to a locking state, when the means 13 is in an unlocking state and the meshing means 7 is in the state of being disengaged from a striker. The inhibition part 10c is disengaged from the means 13 so as to enable the switching of the means 13 to the unlocking state, when the meshing means 7 is in the state of being engaged with the striker.