How to Say ‘You'd better cut back on it.’ in Japanese
控えたほうがいいですね。
hikae ta hou ga ii desu ne
[hee-KAH-eh tah HOH ga ee-ee dess neh]
💬 Usage Tip: Past form + ほうがいい means "you'd better". Note that the past form is used even for advice about the future: 休んだほうがいい (yasunda hō ga ii) "you should rest".
Phrase Breakdown
控えたほうが
hikae ta hou ga
refraining would be
控える (hikaeru) means 'to refrain from' or 'cut back on'. たほうが is used to give advice.
お酒は控えたほうがいい。
You should cut back on alcohol.
Words in this phrase
控え
hikae
[hee-KAH-eh]
refrain from; cut back
Stem of 控える, to hold back from doing or consuming.
お酒を控えています。
I'm cutting back on alcohol.
た
ta
[tah]
past tense ending
This ending completes the polite past tense form.
空席がございまし た。
There were vacant seats.
ほう
hou
[HOH]
side; direction (for comparison)
Used in の方が to mark the preferred option in a comparison.
こっちのほうが安いです。
This one is cheaper.
が
ga
[ga]
subject marker
A particle marking the subject of the sentence.
興味がある分野を教えてください。
Please tell me the field you are interested in.
いいですね。
ii desu ne
would be better
いい means 'good'. ですね adds a soft, agreeing tone. Together with たほうが it means 'you'd better...'.
早く寝たほうがいいですね。
You'd better go to bed early.
Words in this phrase
いい
ii
[ee-ee]
good; nice
A common adjective used to show approval or a positive impression.
その考えはいいですね。
That idea is nice.
です
desu
[dess]
is; polite copula
A polite sentence ending used in formal conversation.
少し伺いたいです。
I would like to ask a little.
ね
ne
[neh]
isn't it?; right?
A sentence-ending particle used to seek agreement or add warmth.
すばらしい経験ですね。
That's wonderful experience, isn't it?
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