Meanings of 好
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Podcast: 好
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AI Study Notes for 好
好 (hǎo) vs 好的 (hǎo de) — use 好 when describing a quality or condition directly, while 好的 is used to modify a noun.
Learners often confuse 好 with similar words like 好吃 (hǎo chī - delicious) or 好看 (hǎo kàn - good-looking). It is informal and widely used in daily conversations, so it's important to practice correct pronunciation as the third tone can change in colloquial speech.
As an HSK Level 1 word, 好 connects with other basic vocabulary like 你 (nǐ - you) and 是 (shì - to be). Students should focus on using it in simple sentences to express approval or describe something positively.
Learners sometimes misuse 好 in phrases without proper context, such as saying '我有好' (Wǒ yǒu hǎo - I have good), which is incorrect. The correct form would be '我很好' (Wǒ hěn hǎo - I am very good).
Pronunciation of 好
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Etymology of 好
It is good (好) for a woman (女) and her child (子) to be together.
A woman 女 with a son 子
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 好
It is good (好) for a woman (女) and her child (子) to be together.
- 1The giveawayA woman 女 with a son 子
- 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 好? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 好?
Decomposition of 好
Identify the Components
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How to say good in Chinese
“good” in Chinese is好
The character 好 (hǎo) primarily means 'good' or 'well', and is commonly used to express positive qualities or conditions. It can also imply suitability or readiness when combined with verbs or used as a suffix, making it a versatile word in everyday conversation.
When to use 好
Learners often confuse 好 with similar words like 好吃 (hǎo chī - delicious) or 好看 (hǎo kàn - good-looking). It is informal and widely used in daily conversations, so it's important to practice correct pronunciation as the third tone can change in colloquial speech.
好 or something close to it
好 (hǎo) vs 好的 (hǎo de) — use 好 when describing a quality or condition directly, while 好的 is used to modify a noun.
What learners get wrong
Learners sometimes misuse 好 in phrases without proper context, such as saying '我有好' (Wǒ yǒu hǎo - I have good), which is incorrect. The correct form would be '我很好' (Wǒ hěn hǎo - I am very good).
Write 好
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Practice writing 好 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 好
好 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 16 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
电影____不好看？
Is the movie good or not?
Common Confusions with 好
Similar shape to 好 but means 'number' or 'sign'.
Spot the Difference
Which character means "good"?
Usage Notes for 好
'好' is primarily used as an adjective. It's commonly misused as a verb in beginner sentences.
我好。
I am good.
Fill in the Blank
我____。
I am good.
Example Sentences for 好 (16)
Cultural Notes for 好
The character '好' combines '女' (woman) and '子' (child), symbolizing the traditional view that a good life is tied to family and nurturing relationships.
A common Chinese saying is '好事多磨', meaning 'good things take time,' highlighting the value placed on patience and perseverance in achieving good outcomes.
Word Family of 好
Compound Meaning
What does 孬 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 好
好 (hǎo) means 'good' or 'well,' while 很 (hěn) translates to 'very.' You would use 很 to modify adjectives, such as '很高' (hěn gāo) meaning 'very tall,' whereas 好 describes the quality of something. Understanding this distinction helps in forming accurate and natural-sounding sentences.
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