GRAMMAR
〜たほうがいい
better to do ~
Explanation
NOTE
Use たほうがいい after a verb in past tense (た form) to give advice meaning you had better do something or it is better to do something. Despite using the past tense form, it refers to present or future actions.
STRUCTURE
Vた
ほうがいい薬を飲んだほうがいい。
Kusuri wo nonda hou ga ii.
You had better take medicine.
早く寝たほうがいいよ。
Hayaku neta hou ga ii yo.
You had better go to bed early.
医者に行ったほうがいいよ。
Isha ni itta hou ga ii yo.
You had better go to a doctor.
Example sentences
疲れているから、早く寝たほうがいいですよ。
You are tired, so it's better to go to bed early.
風邪だから、薬を飲んだほうがいいです。
You have a cold, so it's better to take medicine.
もっと日本語を話したいなら、たくさん練習したほうがいいです。
If you want to speak more Japanese, it's better to practice a lot.
Practice exercises
1
もっと休んだほうがいいよ。
You had better rest more.
Answer
だほうがいい
2
日本語を勉強したほうがいい。
You had better study Japanese.
Answer
たほうがいい
3
歯を磨いたほうがいい。
You had better brush your teeth.
Answer
たほうがいい
4
もっと水を飲んだほうがいいよ。
You had better drink more water.
Answer
だほうがいい
5
医者に行ったほうがいいよ。
You had better go to a doctor.
Answer
たほうがいい
6
薬を飲んだほうがいいと思う。
I think you had better take medicine.
Answer
だほうがいい
7
風邪をひいたなら、今日は休んだほうがいいよ。
If you caught a cold, you had better rest today.
Answer
だほうがいい
8
早く寝たほうがいいよ。
You had better sleep early.
Answer
たほうがいい