ほうがいい

ほうがいい
expression
had better, should
grammatical
1. had better, should, it would be better to
Used to give advice or make suggestions, indicating one option is preferable to another.
あまり物事(ものごと)を難(むずか)しく考(かんが)えないほうがいい。
It's better not to overthink things.
Negative form: Vない + ほうがいい
早(はや)く寝(ね)たほうがいい。
You should go to bed early.
病院(びょういん)に行(い)ったほうがいいですよ。
You should go to the hospital.
Polite form
傘(かさ)を持(も)っていったほうがいい。
You should take an umbrella.

Common patterns

  • V(た) + ほうがいい (should do V) - uses past tense verb
  • V(ない) + ほうがいい (should not do V) - uses negative form

Examples

Usage

This pattern gives advice. It's softer than a command but stronger than a mere suggestion.

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Related words

  • 〜べきだ (should - stronger obligation)
  • 〜たらどうですか (why don't you - suggestion)

Related Words

Compare: べきだ (should)
general
Added 2026.2.5 11:14 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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