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

Verb［ない］+ 方(ほう) + が + いい

Details

  • Part of Speech

    Expression

  • Word Type

    Adjective

  • Register

    Standard

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(ほう), the particle が, and the い-Adjective, いい.

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.

Examples

--:--

    その肉(にく)を食(た)べないほうがいい。

    It'd be better not to eat that meat.

    タバコを吸(す)わないほうがいい。

    It would be better not to smoke cigarettes.

    汚(よご)れないほうがいい。

    It would be better not to get dirty.

    一人(ひとり)で行(い)かないほうがいい。

    It would be better not to go alone.

    毎日(まいにち)肉(にく)を食(た)べないほうがいい。

    It would be better not to eat meat every day.

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ないほうがいい – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (23 in total)

  • torpedotaiyaki

    torpedotaiyaki

    What on earth is going on? I thought I was going crazy so I even took a screenshot. For the life of me I cannot figure out what is wrong.

  • Fuga

    Fuga

    Hey @torpedotaiyaki !

    This seemed like an error on our end, and we have just fixed this!

    Thank you for letting us know about this!

  • torpedotaiyaki

    torpedotaiyaki

    Thanks for the reply/update. Thought I was losing my marbles trying to ID the mistake.

    Cheers!

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