Hayaku neta hou ga iidesu

When giving advice in Japanese, you can use the ta-form (short past) for affirmative suggestions and the nai-form (short negative) for negative suggestions.

…ta hou ga iidesu

The reason why the ta-form (short past form) is used to advise someone is that the ta-form essentially represents a completed action. By using this form, you can convey the order of events and suggest actions that should be completed. While the ta-form can express the past, it also implies completion in some contexts, making it suitable for giving advice.

The phrase “…hou ga ii” means “better.” In this context, “hou” refers to “way” or “manner,” and “ii” means “good.” Together, they suggest a “better way” or a preferable course of action.

Hayaku neta hou ga iidesu. (neru is completed → better)
Yasai o tabeta hou ga iidesu. (taberu is completed → better)
Masuku o tsuketa hou ga iidesu. (tsukeru is completed → better)

…nai hou ga iidesu

On the other hand, when advising someone not to do something, you use the nai-form (short negative form) because it indicates that the action should not happen and therefore should not be completed. The nai-form represents the present negative, meaning the action has not been completed and should be avoided.

Hanasanai hou ga iidesu. (hanasu is not completed (hanasanai) → better)
Takusan tabenai hou ga iidesu. (taberu is not completed (tabenai) → better)

Expression

Kono yasai wa karada ni iidesu.
Tamani tabeta hou ga iidesu.

Kono yasai wa karada ni iidesu ga, takusan tabenai hou ga iidesu.

Ano hito wa hanashi ga nagaidesu.
Hanasanai hou ga iidesu.

Kazeno toki, masuku o tsuketa hou ga iidesu.

Exercise

Questions

Translate into Japanese

  1. You had better go to the gym.
  2. You had better not to touch the pimple. *touch = sawaru, pimple = nikibi

Answers

  1. Jimu ni itta hou ga iidesu.
  2. Nikibi o sawaranai hou ga iidesu.