{% quote %}Is it better to do or not to do?{% /quote %}

た(方|ほう)が(良|い)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(方|ほう)が(良|い)い).

{% grammar %}
{% point source="Verb［た］,0/(方|ほう)が(良|い)い,1/です,2" /%}

{% point source="Verb［ない］,0/(方|ほう)が(良|い)い,1/です,2" /%}
{% /grammar %}

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

{% quote %}た(方|ほう)が(良|い)い indicates an advice to another person or what it would be better / appropriate to do given the circumstances in which you find yourself.{% /quote %}

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)**

{% sentence
   japanese="(早|はや)く(寝|ね)た(方|ほう)が(良|い)いです。"
   translation="It is better to go to sleep early." /%}

{% sentence
   japanese="コーヒーを(飲|の)みすぎない(方|ほう)が(良|い)いです。"
   translation="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.

{% sentence
   japanese="(明|あ)(日|した)テストがありますので(早|はや)く(寝|ね)た(方|ほう)が(良|い)いよ！"
   translation="Tomorrow you have the exam, better if you go to sleep early!" /%}

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

{% premium
   content="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"
   #e02dc643-b1a4-482a-a3f4-2a253387e888 /%}


Learn Japanese Grammar: た方がいい (tahougaii). た方がいい means "you better do", "you better not do". It is a JLPT N5 Japanese Grammar point.

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

Every grammar point explains one expression of Japanese Grammars in the details. All grammar points contain real-world example sentences, audio, video, dialogues, and exercises, all integrated inside the blog 👇

Understand Japanese used in a variety of circumstances. Read writings with logical complexity, listen and understand also the details

Understand Japanese used in everyday situations, and in a variety of circumstances to a certain degree. Read and listen materials on a variety of topics

Understand Japanese used in everyday situations to a certain degree. Read written materials with specific contents, listen conversations in everyday situations

Understand basic Japanese. Read passages on familiar daily topics written in basic vocabulary and kanji, listen conversations encountered in daily life

Understand some basic Japanese. Read typical expressions and sentences, listen conversations about topics regularly encountered in daily life

Learn the differences and details on some of the most common Grammar expressions in Japanese. They may translate the same, but in reality they have many subtle differences, let's learn them 👇

Compare and understand the differences between similar Grammar Expressions in Japanese

Differences in similar Grammar Expressions

Every Japanese grammar expression is explained in the details, using interactive examples, audio, video, dialogues, and exercise directly integrated into the page. Choose your JLPT to see the grammar points list for that level 👇

Detailed and interactive explanations about Japanese grammar for all levels: from Beginner to Advanced

Japanese Grammar - Complete Guide

Japanese Grammar Points

Grammar Expressions in the JLPT N{jlpt}

We cannot found the page you are looking for, here some possible alternatives for you!.

Page not found - Learn Japanese | GokuGoku

We found an error it seems. We are already working on this. Here some possible alternatives for you!

Ops, Error. Learn Japanese | GokuGoku

View all the information about your personal GokuGoku account.

Personal account | GokuGoku

Support our project to make the Japanese language and culture more accessible on the web.

Contact us - Language, Grammar, Culture | GokuGoku

Reset password | GokuGoku

Detailed Japanese grammar lessons, easy to understand, with exercises and simple examples, for all levels of the JLPT (N5, N4, N3, N2, N1).

All the Japanese Grammar expressions in the JLPT N1 explained in the details with real examples, audio, video, dialogues, and exercises.

All the Japanese Grammar expressions in the JLPT N2 explained in the details with real examples, audio, video, dialogues, and exercises.

All the Japanese Grammar expressions in the JLPT N3 explained in the details with real examples, audio, video, dialogues, and exercises.

All the Japanese Grammar expressions in the JLPT N4 explained in the details with real examples, audio, video, dialogues, and exercises.

All the Japanese Grammar expressions in the JLPT N5 explained in the details with real examples, audio, video, dialogues, and exercises.

Japanese Grammar - Complete Guide | GokuGoku

Learn all JLPT N1 Japanese Grammars | GokuGoku

Learn all JLPT N2 Japanese Grammars | GokuGoku

Learn all JLPT N3 Japanese Grammars | GokuGoku

Learn all JLPT N4 Japanese Grammars | GokuGoku

Learn all JLPT N5 Japanese Grammars | GokuGoku

Learn the Japanese Language. Grammar expressions, Kanji, and Culture based on real examples and simple explanations.

Learn Japanese - Language, Grammar, Culture | GokuGoku

Learn new Japanese Kanji characters: meaning, example sentences, and interesting facts about all Japanese Kanji.

Japanese Kanji - Complete Guide | GokuGoku

Detailed Japanese lessons, easy to understand, with exercises and simple examples, for all levels of the JLPT (N5, N4, N3, N2, N1).

Japanese Complete Guide - Learn Japanese

Search all the content for every level of the JLPT on the website of GokuGoku: grammar, kanji, and more.

Search post | GokuGoku

Free Japanese example sentences, grouped by category and searchable, with furigana, romaji, and translation.

Japanese Example Sentences Index | GokuGoku

Sign in to your personal premium account on GokuGoku to have access to more resources for learning Japanese.

Enter account | GokuGoku

All posts published and updated in the blog of GokuGoku: new material to learn and study Japanese published every week.

Timeline - Language, Grammar, Culture | GokuGoku

Permanently delete your account. This will make you lose access to your profile.

Delete account

Manage the email address and password associated with your account.

This is the email address associated to your profile.

Email address

Logout

Update your password associated with your account.

Password

My profile

View all the purchases you made with your account.

Purchase history

Account settings

Hi everyone, my name is Anna Baffa Volpe. I work as a coordinator manager and translator for Japanese clients in the fashion and interior design sector. I am also a researcher and manager for italian companies in the media sector. I worked with Masaru Emoto, author and pseudo-scientist who claimed that human consciousness could affect the molecular structure of water. I supervised the publication of the work with Doctor Citro Massimo 'La scienza dell'invisibile'.

GokuGoku is viewed by thousands of people every month, all sharing a passion for Japan and Japanese. GokuGoku is completely free for everyone. If you would like to support the project we are looking for potential sponsors who share the same enthusiasm for Japanese just like us!

Please send an email to gokugokuapp@gmail.com if you would like to contribute to the project.

Would you like to publish your work? Our goal is to support Japanese language and culture. Because of these, we are open to any new idea. Just send us an email at gokugokuapp@gmail.com to share your vision with us.

GokuGoku also offers a professional translation service from and to Japanese. We also organize private lessons to teach the language. Feel free to send us an email at gokugokuapp@gmail.com for more information.

Are you interested about Japan? Would you like to share your ideas? Would you like to support our project?

Your access is expired, you can renew it by clicking the button below 👇

Access expired

 have access to extra explanations, examples, audio, and more 🙏🏼

Support the website

We created a new account for you, please choose and update your password to access.

Update your password

Insert the email of your account to reset the password.

Reset password

Full articles about different aspect of the Japanese language and culture, new every week!

Complete explanations about many grammar points at every level of the JLPT

Beyond just the meaning, we learn the history, the origin, and more about kanjis

Free resources for learning Japanese at all levels 🇯🇵

How is GokuGoku different from other websites?

The word 'Goku' is connected to many ideas in the Japanese literature. Of course Goku is the name of the main character in the manga and anime series Dragon Ball! But that's not all! GokuGoku (ゴクゴク with Katakana) is one of the many Japanese onomatopoeia. ゴクゴク describes the action of drinking in large sips! The same pronunciation can be found in the word 語句, which means sentence, expression, word.

Why the name GokuGoku?

Who is the team behind GokuGoku?

GokuGoku is a website for learning the Japanese Language. Our goal is to make learning Japanese easier for everyone, everywhere, for free. GokuGoku aims to be a reliable resource for studying every aspect of the Japanese language. Our website is organized in three main areas: Blog posts, Grammar points, and Kanji. Each of these areas contains learning material for studying the language.

What is GokuGoku?

Every week new ideas and explanations about the Japanese Language, sent directly to your inbox 📧

Get access to even more example sentences, dialogues, audios, videos, exercises to study Japanese, plus any new content we add in the future, for a simple one-time price.

Frequently asked questions

Real example sentence with complete Furigana, translation, only Kana, and Romaji modes for all levels

Access everything

Audio examples from drama, anime, games, TV series, and everyday life

Listening material

When simple sentences are not enough we provide complete example dialogues, with Furigana and translations

Complete dialogues

Examples from original Japanese sources, with complete explanations of grammars and kanji

Original material

We publish new articles, grammars, dialogues, audio, and many updates every week. By joining GokuGoku you will have complete access to all material published today and in the future, a lot more than what's available today!

Resources to study Japanese: example sentences, dialogues, audios, videos, exercises with weekly updates.

Learn the Japanese Language | Complete Access GokuGoku

Thanks for renewing your access to GokuGoku, let's learn more Japanese together.

Access renewed

Renew account | GokuGoku

Welcome everyone! I am Sandro, Computer Engineer, Software Developer, and Content Creator. I am passionate about Language and Japan. In GokuGoku I am responsible for the tech-side of the website and I also write posts about various interesting topics and Grammar Points.

Sign in to your account

Your account is ready! We just sent you an email with a link to login.

Welcome to GokuGoku

Insert your email address you will use to sign in to your account.

Create account

Complete your purchase by providing your payment information.

Payment details

Create account | GokuGoku

What would you like to learn? Any grammar expression, kanji, or something else?

Here you can view all the published and updated content on GokuGoku, so you can always stay up to date with the newest material to improve your Japanese.

Timeline

Choose a new password to access your account.

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

Colloquial form of た方が良い

Learn something new Every Week 🇯🇵