GRAMMAR DETAIL
～たほうがいい／～ないほうがいい
Follows the past or negative form to recommend the action better suited to the situation or advise against an action.
Examples
疲れているなら、今夜は早く寝たほうがいいです。
If you are tired, you should go to bed early tonight.
Words used
熱がある日は、無理に運動しないほうがいいです。
You should not push yourself to exercise on a day when you have a fever.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: The
たform takesほうがいいto recommend an action; theないform takes it to advise against one. - Basic usage:
寝たほうがいいですadvises that going to bed would be better.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- The た form versus past time
今夜は早く寝たほうがいいrecommends an action for tonight. The earlierたform does not state that the person has already slept.
- Negative advice and tone
運動しないほうがいいadvises avoiding exercise. Because it evaluates the listener's action, the advice can sound firm depending on the situation.