〜ほうがいい

Used to give someone advice: verb た-form + ほうがいいです means "you should do it," while ない-form + ほうがいいです is "you shouldn't do it."

The most confusing part: the "should" advice uses the た-form (寝たほうがいい), but "shouldn't" uses the present ない-form (吸わないほうがいい) — there is no past form on the negative side.

This is fairly direct advice, suited to family, friends, or when you're concerned about the listener's health. Add よ at the end of the sentence to sound more natural.

Examples

• 早(はや)く寝(ね)たほうがいいですよ。

  You should go to bed early.

• 薬(くすり)を飲(の)んだほうがいいです。

  You should take your medicine.

• たばこは吸(す)わないほうがいいです。

  You shouldn't smoke.

Related patterns

• Thể た
• Thể ない
• 〜てはいけません