勧Asking, advising and rules
Giving advice
Offer advice: ~ほうがいい is firm and direct, and ~たらどうですか is a gentler suggestion.
Firm, or gentle?
Two ways to advise
You'd better get to bed early.
A strong recommendation.
Why don't you go to bed early?
A softer suggestion.
Forms
What goes before each
It's always ~ないほうがいい for negatives, never なかったほうがいい.
| Pattern | Takes | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ~たほうがいい | plain past verb | 行ったほうがいい |
| ~ないほうがいい | plain negative verb | 行かないほうがいい |
| ~たらどうですか | past form + ら | 行ったらどうですか |
In use
Giving advice
You should get a doctor to look at it.
You'd better not drink.
Why not go to the hospital?
Why not rest a bit?
A casual version.
Might you think it over once more?
The polite version, with いかが.
Past or present?
Both can follow ほうがいい
It's better to take medicine.
The present form sounds more general.
You'd better take your medicine.
The past form is more pointed advice.
Careful with tone
Advice can sound rude upward
~ほうがいい is close to a command, so avoid it with your boss or teacher. ~たらどうですか can also sound like you're telling someone off, depending on tone. With superiors, you might say ~たらいかがでしょうか, or just offer the information.
Check yourself
What's the advice?
Your turn
Which is right?
You'd better go to the hospital.
Find the mistake
Tap the part that's wrong.
。
Say it yourself
A coughing friend
Your friend has been coughing all week and has a big presentation. Give them firm advice to see a doctor, then a softer suggestion to rest today.
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