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See the whole course›Beginner 2›Injury and Illness

Japanese grammar · ≈ JLPT N4 · Beginner 2

〜たほうがいいです~ta hou ga ii desu

advice to do something

Use「〜たほうがいいです」with a verb in た-form to advise someone that doing something is better.

Start the interactive lessonIllustrated cards, audio and speaking practice

How it works

  1. One friend has a fever. What does the other friend suggest doing? Follow the arrow.

    One friend has a fever. What does the other friend suggest doing? Follow the arrow.

  2. 「ほうがいいです」 gives advice: it is better to do this.

    「ほうがいいです」 gives advice: it is better to do this.

  3. To advise someone to do something, put the verb in its た-form before it: 行った＋ほうがいいです.

    To advise someone to do something, put the verb in its た-form before it: 行った＋ほうがいいです.

  4. 「飲んだ」 and 「帰った」 in the examples are both た-forms. You cannot simply add た to the dictionary form.

    「飲んだ」 and 「帰った」 in the examples are both た-forms. You cannot simply add た to the dictionary form.

  5. 「早く帰ったほうがいいです」 advises going home early; it does not mean someone has already gone home.

    「早く帰ったほうがいいです」 advises going home early; it does not mean someone has already gone home.

Example sentences

  • 薬くすりkusuriをo飲んだのんだnondaほうhouがgaいいです。いいですiidesu

    It's better to take some medicine.

  • 早くはやくhayaku帰ったかえったkaetta

In a conversation

  • A
    頭あたまが痛いいたいんです。どうですどうしましょうか。か

    I have a headache. What should I do?

  • B
    薬くすりを飲んだのんだほうがいいですよ。よ

Check yourself

  1. Level 1 · Recognise

    Which sentence is correct?

  2. Level 1 · Recognise

    Listen and choose the meaning

  3. Level 2 · Build

    Put the words in order

    You should rest well.

  4. Level 3 · Use

    What goes in the blank?

    薬を ほうがいいです。

    You should take some medicine.

More grammar in this theme

  • 〜たほうがいいですadvice to do something

Keep practising

Test your Japanese vocabulary12 adaptive questions, freeCheck your pronunciationRead aloud and get a scorePractise verb forms10-question conjugation quizSee the whole courseGrammar, vocabulary and quizzes by theme
ほうhou
がga
いいです。いいですiidesu

It's better to go home early.

You should take some medicine.

  • A
    熱ねつがあるんです。です

    I have a fever.

  • B
    病院びょういんに行ったいったほうがいいです。いいです

    It's better to go to the hospital.

    • A
      食欲しょくよくがないんです。です

      I have no appetite.

    • B
      消化しょうかにいいものを食べたたべたほうがいいですよ。よ

      You should eat something easy to digest.

    〜んですexplaining a situation
    どうしたんですかasking what’s wrong
    動詞のた形past verb form
    〜ないほうがいいですadvice against doing
    〜てからafter doing something
    〜前にbefore doing something
    Previous動詞のた形
    Next〜ないほうがいいです