Translation guide
The English word 'better' is the comparative form of 'good' or 'well'. In Japanese, there is no single equivalent; the translation depends on what is being compared and the context. This guide covers common ways to express improvement, preference, superiority, and recovery.
Expressing that something is of higher quality or more suitable than another thing.
Standard pattern for comparing two things, meaning 'B is better than A'. A and B are nouns.
この本よりあの本のほうがいい。
That book is better than this one.
電車より車のほうがいい。
A car is better than a train.
Means 'better' in a general sense, often used when not explicitly comparing two things. Can be used as a standalone phrase.
もっといいアイデアがある。
I have a better idea.
この前より、もっといい。
It's better than before.
Formal/literary equivalent of もっといい, often used in writing or formal speech.
Means 'better' in the sense of 'less bad' or 'preferable among bad options'. Often used when both choices are undesirable.
どっちも嫌だけど、こっちのほうがましだ。
I hate both, but this one is better (less bad).
Expressing that someone's health has improved or recovered.
Expressing that one action is preferable to another, or giving advice.
Means 'had better' or 'should'. Used for giving advice or stating what is preferable. V is past tense plain form.
早く寝たほうがいい。
You'd better go to bed early.
タクシーで行ったほうがいいよ。
It's better to go by taxi.
Expressing that a skill, situation, or thing has improved over time.
Means 'became better/skillful' at something. Used for skills like language, sports, etc.
日本語が上手になった。
My Japanese has gotten better.
Expressing that something exceeds expectations.
Means 'better than I thought'. Very common in conversation.
この映画、思ったよりいいね。
This movie is better than I expected.
Referring to the superior option among two or more.
Means 'is superior' or 'is better'. Used in formal contexts.
この製品は他社のものより優れている。
This product is better than those of other companies.
The loanword ベター exists but is not commonly used in natural Japanese. It sounds unnatural in most contexts. Use the patterns above instead.
いい is the modern colloquial form; よい is more formal or literary. In many patterns (like ほうがいい), いい is standard. よい is used in formal writing or set phrases like より良い.
より良い未来
a better future
Aim for a better life.
More formal, meaning 'recovered'. Used for serious illnesses or injuries.
彼は病気から回復した。
He got better from his illness.
Explicitly compares two actions: 'It's better to do B than A'. Vる is dictionary form, Vた is past form.
歩くよりバスに乗ったほうがいい。
It's better to take the bus than walk.
Means 'had better not'. Used to advise against something.
そんなこと言わないほうがいい。
You'd better not say that.
Formal word for 'improved', used for systems, processes, or conditions.
状況が改善した。
The situation got better.
Indicates gradual improvement: 'has been getting better'.
天気がよくなってきた。
The weather is getting better.
More emphatic: 'better than imagined'.
結果は想像以上に良かった。
The result was better than I had imagined.
Means 'excels' or 'is better' in a specific aspect.
彼は英語では私より勝っている。
He is better than me at English.