ほうがいい
ほうがいい
expression
had better, should
1.
had better, should, it would be better to
Used to give advice or make suggestions, indicating one option is preferable to another.
あまり物事を難しく考えないほうがいい。
It's better not to overthink things.
Negative form: Vない + ほうがいい
早く寝たほうがいい。
You should go to bed early.
病院に行ったほうがいいですよ。
You should go to the hospital.
Polite form
傘を持っていったほうがいい。
You should take an umbrella.
GRAMMAR PATTERN:
- 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:
- 食べたほうがいい (should eat)
- 食べないほうがいい (should not eat)
NUANCE:
This pattern gives advice. It's softer than a command but stronger than a mere suggestion.
POLITENESS:
- ほうがいい (plain)
- ほうがいいです (polite)
- ほうがいいと思います (more indirect/polite)
RELATED EXPRESSIONS:
- 〜べきだ (should - stronger obligation)
- 〜たらどうですか (why don't you - suggestion)