た方がいい (tahougaii) Meaning Japanese Grammar - You Better Do

Author GokuGoku for article 'た方がいい (tahougaii) Meaning Japanese Grammar - You Better Do'

GokuGoku

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Updated on 7 January 2023

た方がいい (tahougaii) Meaning Japanese Grammar - You Better Do

Is it better to do or not to do?

(ほう)()い (tahō ga ii) is used to indicate some action that it would be better if you do (or not do in its negative form with ない: ない(ほう)()い).

Verb[た]+(ほう)()+です
Verb[ない]+(ほう)()+です

We can translate the form as you better do and in the negative you better not do.

(ほう)()い indicates an advice to another person or what it would be better / appropriate to do given the circumstances in which you find yourself.

This form is formed with:

  • For the affirmative form: Plain verb in the affirmative past tense + hō (ほ う) ga (が) ii (良 い) desu (です)
  • For the negative form: Negative Plain verb in the present tense + hō (ほ う) ga (が) ii (良 い) desu (です)

(はや)()(ほう)()いです。

It is better to go to sleep early.

コーヒーを()みすぎない(ほう)()いです。

It is better not to overdo with coffee.

Colloquial form of た方が良い

In the confidential or colloquial form the verb です (desu) is often omitted and the exclamation particles typical of conversation are also used.

()(した)テストがありますので(はや)()(ほう)()いよ!

Tomorrow you have the exam, better if you go to sleep early!

Excerpt from a blog online discussing professions to avoid for various reasons:

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