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It is very windy and rainy outside. Which choice is better? The person in the picture advises the other person to stay indoors.

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Lesson notes · ≈ JLPT N4 · Beginner 2

〜ないほうがいいです~nai hou ga ii desu

advice against doing

Use「〜ないほうがいいです」with a verb in ない-form to gently advise someone against an action.

How it works

  1. It is very windy and rainy outside. Which choice is better? The person in the picture advises the other person to stay indoors.

    It is very windy and rainy outside. Which choice is better? The person in the picture advises the other person to stay indoors.

  2. When you are worried that someone might run into trouble, use this pattern to advise them not to do something. It gives advice, not an order.

    When you are worried that someone might run into trouble, use this pattern to advise them not to do something. It gives advice, not an order.

  3. First put the verb in the ない-form, such as 「行かない」, then add 「ほうがいいです」.

    First put the verb in the ない-form, such as 「行かない」, then add 「ほうがいいです」.

  4. Use the た-form to advise doing something and the ない-form to advise against it. Do not replace ない with 「なかった」 when giving negative advice.

    Use the た-form to advise doing something and the ない-form to advise against it. Do not replace ない with 「なかった」 when giving negative advice.

  5. In the example about drinking alcohol, 「方」 is read 「ほう」, not 「かた」. You can also write it in kana.

    In the example about drinking alcohol, 「方」 is read 「ほう」, not 「かた」. You can also write it in kana.

  • The example about drinking alcohol ends with 「よ」. This draws the listener’s attention to the advice; it does not make it a command.

    The example about drinking alcohol ends with 「よ」. This draws the listener’s attention to the advice; it does not make it a command.

    • Example sentences

    • 外そとsotoにni行かないいかないikanaiほうhouがgaいいです。いいですiidesu

      It's better not to go outside.

    • お酒おさけosakeをo飲まないのまないnomanai方ほうhouがgaいいですiidesuよ。よyo

      You'd better not drink alcohol.

    In a conversation

    • A
      仕事しごとに行っいってもいいですか。か

      May I go to work?

    • B
      いいえ、いいえ休んだやすんだほうがいいです。いいです

      No, you should rest.

    • A
      お酒おさけを飲んのんでもいいですか。か

      May I drink alcohol?

    • B
      いいえ、いいえお酒おさけはわ飲まないのまないほうがいいですよ。よ

      No, you shouldn't drink alcohol.

    • A
      外そとで遊んあそんでもいいですか。か

      May I play outside?

    • B
      いいえ、いいえ家いえで休んだやすんだほうがいいです。いいです

    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 not overdo it.

    4. Level 3 · Use

      What goes in the blank?

      体調が悪いときは写真を撮ら がいいです。

      When you don't feel well, you'd better not take pictures.

    More grammar in this theme

    • 〜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
    • 〜たほうがいいですadvice to do something
    • 〜ないほうがいいですadvice against doing
    • 〜てからafter doing something
    • 〜前にbefore doing something
    Previous〜たほうがいいですNext〜てから

    Keep practising

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    See the whole course
    Beginner 2
    Injury and Illness

    No, it's better to rest at home.