Japanese word

したほうがよい

Pronunciation

Romajishitahōgayoi

Meaning

  • i-adjectiveshould

Example

毎日、宿題をしたほうがよいです。mai nichi shuku dai o shi ta hō ga yo i de su

You should do your homework every day.

Illustration for したほうがよい (should)

More examples

道を渡る前に、左右を確認したほうがよいです。michi o wata ru mae ni sa yū o kaku nin shi ta hō ga yo i de su

You should check both ways before crossing the street.

Core concept

Presents doing something as the preferable choice, expressing advice or a recommendation rather than a strict order.

Common phrases

  • 運動をしたほうがよいun dō o shi ta hō ga yo i

    should exercise

  • 先生に相談したほうがよいsen sei ni sō dan shi ta hō ga yo i

    should consult a teacher

  • 早めに準備をしたほうがよいhaya me ni jun bi o shi ta hō ga yo i

    should prepare early

Definition in Japanese

ある行為をするのが望ましいという意を表す言い方。a ru kō i o su ru no ga nozo ma shi i to i u i o arawa su i i kata

Word origin

This expression joins した (shita), from する (suru, "do"), to ほう (hō, "option"), が (ga, a subject marker), and よい (yoi, "good"), marking an action as the better option.

Usage tips

  • The ending よい (yoi) commonly becomes いい (ii) in the conversational form したほうがいい (shita hō ga ii), without changing the basic advice.

Other meanings

  • had betteri-adjective

Word lists with this word