Had Better in French

Had Better in French

1. Had better (must do it)

I had better do it: Il faut que je le fasse, je dois le faire
We had better be going: Il faut que nous partions, nous devons partir.

2. Had better (Would be preferable to do it)

Valoir mieux (to be advisable to do), faire mieux

We had better be going: Il vaut mieux que nous partions, nous ferions mieux de partir.
You’d better shut up: Tu ferais mieux de te taire
Do it right now, you’d better! Fais-le maintenant, il vaudrait mieux !
You’d better not tell him that: tu ferais mieux de ne pas lui dire ça !

3. Had better (attention to the consequences)

You’d better be on time: tu as intérêt d’être à l’heure !
You’d better not: t’as pas intérêt !
We’d better get hurry: On a intérêt à se dépêcher (magner, grouiller)