Structure
Verb[ない]+ 方 + が + いい
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
About ないほうがいい
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 form of a verb grouped with 方, the particle が, and the い-Adjective, いい.
This expression is quite direct, and can imply that there may be some sort of negative consequence if the (A) verb is done.
This phrase is constructed by using the negative form of a verb grouped with 方, the particle が, and the い-Adjective, いい.
- あそこは危ないから、行かない方がいいよ。Because that place over there is dangerous, it would be better not to go there.
- それは触らない方がいい。It would be better not to mess with that. (触る has the nuance of 'mess around with', whereas 触れる is closer to simply 'touch')
This expression is quite direct, and can imply that there may be some sort of negative consequence if the (A) verb is done.
- 虫が入ってくるから、窓を開けない方がいいよ。Because bugs will come in, it would be better not to open the window. (The negative consequence is that bugs will come inside)
Synonyms
Antonyms
Examples
これはお兄ちゃんが買ったピザだから、食べない方がいいよ。
Since this is pizza my brother bought, it would be better not to eat it.
その肉を食べない方がいい。
It'd be better not to eat that meat.
タバコを吸わない方がいい。
It would be better not to smoke cigarettes.
汚くならない方がいい。
It would be better not to become dirty.
一人で行かない方がいい。
It would be better not to go alone.
Get more example sentences!
Premium users get access to 12 example sentences on all Grammar Points.
Self-Study Sentences
Study your own way!
Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.
Online
Additional Example Sentences
Renshuu
Example Sentences and Listening Practice
Japanese Test 4 You
" You shouldn't..." in Japanese/ないほうがいい
Miku Real Japanese 🎦
Using 「方」 for comparisons
Tae Kim
Offline
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
Track Resources!
Bunpro tracks all of the resources you’ve visited, and offers relevant bookmarks of physical books to help with offline tracking.
ないほうがいい – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (20 in total)
bilowik
Would using the polite non-past negative be grammatically incorrect, or just sound awkward? IE: その肉を食べませんほうがいい[です?]
nekoyama
It would be both incorrect and awkward
bilowik
Thanks so much for the additional insight!
Got questions about ないほうがいい? Join us to discuss, ask, and learn together!
Join the Discussion