By ProDev Teach | Updated May 2025
📘 Meaning & Usage
The grammar pattern ~ほうがいい is used to give advice or make a suggestion. It means “You should…” or “It’s better to…”.
Structure:
– Verb (past tense) + ほうがいい → for actions you recommend doing
– Verb (negative present) + ほうがいい → for actions you recommend avoiding
Translation:
You should / It’s better to…
💡 Example Sentences
- 早く寝たほうがいいです。
Hayaku neta hō ga ii desu.
You should go to bed early. - もっと勉強したほうがいいですよ。
Motto benkyō shita hō ga ii desu yo.
You should study more. - たくさん食べないほうがいいです。
Takusan tabenai hō ga ii desu.
You shouldn’t eat too much.
📝 Grammar Notes
- Positive suggestion: Use the **past tense** of the verb (た-form).
例: 行く → 行った → 行ったほうがいい - Negative suggestion: Use the **present negative** form of the verb.
例: 飲む → 飲まない → 飲まないほうがいい - This form is commonly used when giving advice or suggesting better actions.
📝 Practice Exercises
1. Choose the correct form
- 風邪のときは(寝る)____ほうがいいです。
- 甘いものは(食べない)____ほうがいいです。
- もっと日本語を(勉強する)____ほうがいいですよ。
✔ Answers:
- 寝た
- 食べない
- 勉強した
2. Translate into Japanese
- You should drink more water.
- You shouldn’t watch too much TV.
- You should go to the hospital.
✔ Sample Answers:
- もっと水を飲んだほうがいいです。
- テレビを見すぎないほうがいいです。
- 病院に行ったほうがいいです。
🈶 Vocabulary & Kanji Breakdown
Word | Kanji | Reading | Meaning |
---|---|---|---|
早く | 早 | はやく | Early |
寝る | 寝 | ねる | To sleep |
勉強する | 勉強 | べんきょうする | To study |
食べる | 食 | たべる | To eat |
水 | 水 | みず | Water |
飲む | 飲 | のむ | To drink |
病院 | 病院 | びょういん | Hospital |
行く | 行 | いく | To go |
テレビ | – | てれび | TV |
🧠 Summary
- Meaning: You should / It’s better to…
- Form: Verb (た-form / ない-form) + ほうがいい
- Use: To give advice or make suggestions
- Level: JLPT N5
🔗 Related Grammar & Vocabulary
- JLPT N5 Grammar List – 60 Essential Grammar Points
- が – subject marker; however; but
- があります – there is; is (non-living things)
- がほしい – to want something
- がいます – there is; to be; is (living things)
- い-adjectives – i-adjectives
- 一番(いちばん) – the most; the best
- 一緒に(いっしょに) – together
- いつも – always; usually; habitually
- じゃない・ではない – to not be
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I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.