Grammar Info
N5 Lesson 9: 10/13

~た方(ほう)がいい
It'd be better to, Should do

Structure
Casual
Polite
Verb[た]+ + + いい
Verb[た]+ + + いい + です
Details
Part of Speech Expression
Word Type Adjective
Register Standard
品詞 表現
単語の種類 形容詞
使用域 一般
Information
In Japanese, there are several ways to express that something ‘should’ be done. たほうがいい is one of the most common, especially when giving advice. This expression uses the past tense of a verb grouped with 方(ほう), the particle , and the い-Adjective, いい.
  • 食(た)べ前(まえ)に手(て)洗(あら)った方(ほう)がいい
    It would be better if you washed your hands before you eat. (You should wash your hands)
  • 警察(けいさつ)言(い)った方(ほう)がいい
    It would be better if you told the police. (You should tell the police)
As 方(ほう) can be translated closely to ‘way’, or ‘direction’, this expression is suggesting that one specific choice is simply the better ‘way’.
This expression is quite direct, and can imply that there may be some sort of negative consequence if (A) is not done. In that respect, this phrase could also be translated as ‘It would be better if you did (A)’.
たほうがいい may also be used with the base (dictionary) form of a verb, but will sound more like a general opinion in those cases, rather than giving advice.
  • 高(たか)いけど、美味(おい)しお肉(にく)食(た)べ方(ほう)がいい
    Even though it is expensive, it is better to eat delicious meat. (This is a general opinion)
  • 食器(しょっき)すぐ片付(かたづ)ける方(ほう)がいい
    It is better to put away the dishes as soon as possible. (This is a general opinion)
Caution
Because this phrase is quite direct, it would be better to use a more polite expression like ばいい, if giving general advice.
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医者(いしゃ)さん聞(き)いた方(ほう)がいい
It would be better to ask a doctor.
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帰(かえ)った方(ほう)がいい
It'd be better to go home.
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朝(あさ)ごはん食(た)べた方(ほう)がいい
It would be better to eat breakfast.
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Books
Genki I
Page 232
Genki I 2nd Edition
Page 272
みんなの日本語 II
Page 48 [CH 32]
[DBJG] A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
Page 138
Marugoto Elementary 2 (A2) Rikai
Page 56
Tae Kim's Japanese Grammar Guide
Page 269