JLPT N5 Grammar (hou ga ii)

Meaning

had better; it'd be better to; should ~

How to use

Verb方がいい
ほうがいい
hou ga ii ほうがいい jlpt n5 grammar meaning 文法例文 japanese flashcards

Learn Japanese grammar: / (ほうがいい) (hou ga ii). Meaning: had better; it’d be better to; should ~.

Both the kanji and hiragana version can be used: 方がいい / ほうがいい .

Example A) past-casual

行ったほうがいい。

itta hou ga ii.

You had better go / you should go.

Example B) negative

行かないほうがいい。

ikanai hou ga ii.

You shouldn’t go.


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- Example Sentences

Each example sentence includes a Japanese hint, the romaji reading, and the English translation.

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Example #1

つかれたら、はやくねたほうがいい。
tsukaretara, hayaku neta hou ga ii.
If you're tired, it's better to go to bed early.
Example #2

あついひには、みずをたくさんのんだほうがいい。
atsui hi ni wa, mizu o takusan nonda hou ga ii.
It's best to drink a lot of water on hot days.
Example #3

ねるまえに、スマホをつかわないほうがいい。
neru mae ni, sumaho o tsukawanai hou ga ii.
Before going to bed, it's best to not use your smartphone.
Example #4

まいにちにほんごをれんしゅうしたほうがいいですよ。
mainichi nihongo o renshuu shita hou ga ii desu yo.
You should practice Japanese every day.
Example #5

わからないとき、せんせいにきいたほうがいいですよ。
wakaranai toki, sensei ni kiita hou ga ii desu yo.
When you don't understand, you're best off asking your teacher.
Example #6

にくだけじゃなくて、やさいもたべたほうがいいですよ。
niku dake janakute, yasai mo tabeta hou ga ii desu yo.
It's better to not just eat meat, but some vegetables as well.
Example #7

ごはんのあとで、はをみがいたほうがいいですよ。
gohan no ato de, ha o migaita hou ga ii desu yo.
It's best to brush your teeth after eating.
Example #8

はたちになっても、おさけをのまないほうがいいとおもいます。
hatachi ni nattemo, osake o nomanai hou ga ii to omoimasu.
Even if you turn 20, I think it's best to not drink any alcohol.

Vocabulary List

KanjiKanaEnglish
早いはやいfast; early
寝るねるto sleep; to go to bed; to lie down
みずwater; fluid; liquid​
まえprevious; before; in front; ago
毎日まいにちevery day
分かるわかるto understand; to comprehend; to grasp; to see; to get; to follow
先生せんせいteacher; instructor; master
聞くきくto hear; to listen (to music); to ask; to learn of
食べるたべるto eat
ご飯ごはんcooked rice, meal
二十歳はたち20 years old; twenty years old
お酒おさけalcohol
疲れるつかれるto be tired
早くはやくearly
寝るねるto sleep
暑い日あついひhot day
みずwater
飲むのむto drink
寝る前にねるまえにbefore sleeping
スマホsmartphone
使うつかうto use
毎日まいにちevery day
日本語にほんごJapanese language
練習れんしゅうto practice
分かるわかるto understand
先生せんせいteacher
聞くきくto ask
にくmeat
野菜やさいvegetable
ご飯ごはんmeal
歯を磨くはをみがくto brush teeth
20歳はたち20 years old (adult in Japan)
お酒おさけalcohol
と思うとおもうto think

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