JLPT N5 grammar
～ほうがいい — Meaning & Examples
"You should ~". Positive: past + ほうがいい. Negative: ない + ほうがいい.
Giving Advice — ほうがいい
～ほうがいい = "you should ~" / "it's better to ~"
Positive (should do): past tense + ほうがいい
くすりをのんだほうがいい。 — You should take medicine.
はやくねたほうがいいですよ。 — You should sleep early.
Negative (shouldn't): ない form + ほうがいい
いかないほうがいいです。 — You shouldn't go.
たべすぎないほうがいい。 — You shouldn't eat too much.
Practice questions
Try these 2 questions on ～ほうがいい. Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. "くすりをのんだほうがいい" means?
- I want medicine
- I took medicine
- Don't take medicine
- You should take medicine
Show answer
Answer: You should take medicine
～たほうがいい = you should ~.
2. "いかないほうがいい" means?
- Should go
- Shouldn't go
- No need to go
- Can't go
Show answer
Answer: Shouldn't go
ない + ほうがいい = shouldn't / better not to.
Practise ～ほうがいい in the free app
This point is part of the “Conditionals and Opinions” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N5 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N5 grammar points
From the same lesson: Conditionals and Opinions
Frequently asked questions
What does ～ほうがいい mean?
"You should ~". Positive: past + ほうがいい. Negative: ない + ほうがいい.
Is ～ほうがいい on the JLPT N5 test?
～ほうがいい is taught in the JLPT N5 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “Conditionals and Opinions”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise ～ほうがいい?
Open the “Conditionals and Opinions” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N5 mock exams, with no ads.