Couple of JLPT Questions

[NickT]

It's kind of off topic, but yes I think you are right.

AIEJ is the organisation that administers the JLPT in Japan though.

Are you sure you are not thinking of the J-Test? (In Japanese, the "実用日本語検定" which translates to the "test of practical Japanese".) I think that this exam has a speaking element to it.

http://j-test.jp/xp/modules/tinyd10/con ... .php?id=11

[ichigokissu]

ah right... I knew I was confused somewhere in the mix there lol Thanks.

That link could be it but I'm not sure as I've never taken it. I think it would be wise to look at both though.

Cheers

[Flamehearted]

Tx Nick - fantastic explanation as always

Can I ask another panic question ?

It is to do with the expression 方がいい

I had learnt that if you use hou ga ii with a positive verb the verb must be in the past tense - e.g

結婚　した　方　が　いい　　（I　better get married)

But in my practice book it has :

スポーツは　見るのと　するのと　どちらが　好きですか？

そうですね。　見る　方が　好きです。

Which is right ?

Many thanks !

[NickT]

Ok, well it seems to me that both are right, they just mean different things.

~た方がいい　＝　means should do something. Not necessary want to, but being made to or knowing that it is for the best.

~る方がいい ＝　means to prefer to do something or want to do something. There is no sense of obligation, just personal preference.

So, 結婚した方がいい　means ”I should get married”, and 見る方がいい or 見る方は好き just mean "I would prefer to watch" or "I (would) like to watch.