Expressing "had better" with "zuihao"

Sure, 最好 (zuìhǎo) means "best." But it can also be used to mean "it would be best to" or "had better," often when giving advice to someone.

Positive Form

Subj. + 最好 + Predicate

The predicate part of the pattern can be a verb or an adjective.

你最好先休息一下。Nǐ zuìhǎo xiān xiūxi yīxià.You'd better get some rest first.
你们最好给他打个电话问一下。Nǐmen zuìhǎo gěi tā dǎ gè diànhuà wèn yīxià.It would be best for you to give him a call and ask.
那个地方不好找，我们最好查一下百度地图。Nàge dìfang bù hǎo zhǎo, wǒmen zuìhǎo chá yīxià Bǎidù dìtú.It's not easy to find that place. We'd better search for it on Baidu Maps.
外面挺冷的，最好多穿点。Wàimiàn tǐng lěng de, zuìhǎo duō chuān diǎn.It's pretty cold outside. Best to wear some more layers.
这个活动很重要，我们最好穿得正式一点。Zhège huódòng hěn zhòngyào, wǒmen zuìhǎo chuān de zhèngshì yīdiǎn.This is an important event. We'd better wear something more formal.

Subj. + 最好 + 别 / 不要 + Predicate

最好别去。Zuìhǎo bié qù.You'd better not go.
最好不要这样说。Zuìhǎo bùyào zhèyàng shuō.It's best not to say something like this.
晚饭最好不要吃那么多。Wǎnfàn zuìhǎo bùyào chī nàme duō.It's best not to eat so much for dinner.
雨这么大，最好别出门。Yǔ zhème dà, zuìhǎo bié chūmén.It's raining so heavily. It's best not to leave the house.
这个问题是隐私的，最好不要问。Zhège wèntí shì yǐnsī de, zuìhǎo bùyào wèn.This question is private. You'd better not ask.