JLPT N5
方がいい
Had better ~
Structure
Verb た-form 方がいい
How it works
This structure is used to give advice or make suggestions, meaning 'it is better to' or 'had better.' For positive advice, use the past tense (た-form) before 方がいい; for negative advice, use the negative present (ない-form). It is a strong expression, so use it carefully when speaking to superiors.
Examples
早く寝たほうがいいです。
It is better to go to bed early.
野菜を食べたほうがいいですよ。
You had better eat vegetables.
今日は外に出ないほうがいいです。
It is better not to go outside today.
Common mistakes
Using the present tense dictionary form (e.g., 食べるほうがいい) for positive advice, which sounds less natural than the past tense (食べたほうがいい) in this specific grammar structure.
Tip
Think of the 'た' form here not as the past tense, but as focusing on the completed action being the better choice among alternatives.
More JLPT N5 grammar
See 方がいい in real Japanese
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