Grammar Info
N5 Lesson 9: 11/13

ない方(ほう)がいい
It'd be better not to, Shouldn't do

Structure
Casual
Polite
Verb[ない]+ 方 + + いい
Verb[ない]+ 方 + + 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
Like たほうがいい, ないほうがいい is used in Japanese for giving advice. However, this expression suggests that it is better ‘not’ to do something.
This phrase is constructed by using the negative tense of a verb grouped with 方(ほう), the particle , and the い-Adjective, いい.
  • あそこ危(あぶ)ないから、行(い)かない方(ほう)がいい
    Because that place over there is dangerous, it would be better not to go there.
  • それ触(さわ)らない方(ほう)がいい
    It would be better not to mess with that. (触(さわ)る has the nuance of ‘mess around with’, whereas 触(ふ)れる is closer to simply ‘touch’)
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 the (A) verb is done.
  • 虫(むし)入(はい)っくるから、窓(まど)開(あ)けない方(ほう)がいい
    Because bugs will come in, it would be better not to open the window. (The negative consequence is that bugs will come inside)
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これお兄(にい)ちゃん買(か)ったピザだから食(た)べない方(ほう)がいい
Since this is pizza my brother bought, it would be better not to eat it.
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その肉(にく)食(た)べない方(ほう)がいい
It'd be better not to eat that meat.
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タバコを吸(す)わない方(ほう)がいい
It would be better not to smoke cigarettes.
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Books
Genki I 2nd Edition
Page 272
みんなの日本語 II
Page 48 [CH 32]
Tae Kim's Japanese Grammar Guide
Page 270