Example 1
早く寝たほうがいい。
Hayaku neta hou ga ii.
It's better if you go to bed early.
Breakdown
早くearly
寝たslept (go to bed, ta-form)
ほうside/way
がsubject marker
いいgood
Note: Suggesting the listener should go to bed early.
Example 2
もっと勉強したほうがいい。
Motto benkyou shita hou ga ii.
You should study more.
Breakdown
もっとmore
勉強したstudied (study, ta-form)
ほうside/way
がsubject marker
いいgood
Note: Advice to increase study.
Example 3
病気の時は、薬を飲んだほうがいい。
Byouki no toki wa, kusuri wo nonda hou ga ii.
It's a good idea to take medicine when you're sick.
Breakdown
病気の時when (you're) sick
はtopic marker
薬をmedicine (object)
飲んだtook (drink, ta-form)
ほうside/way
がsubject marker
いいgood
Note: Common advice for illness.
Example 4
コーヒーを飲まないほうがいい。
Koohii wo nomanai hou ga ii.
It's better if you don't drink coffee.
Breakdown
コーヒーをcoffee (object)
飲まないdo not drink
ほうside/way
がsubject marker
いいgood
Note: Negative form (not to do something) is also possible.