好
hǎo/xɑʊ̯²¹⁴/
In Chinese, 好 (hǎo) is used to express the English phrase 'hao'.
The word 好 is a versatile adjective and adverb used to express that something is good, well or acceptable.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can use the adverb 很 (hěn) before 好 to mean 'very good' in standard descriptive sentences. Additionally, when you add the aspect particle 了 to 好 to form 好了, the meaning shifts to indicate that a state of being 'ready', 'finished' or 'okay now' has been achieved.
How do you pronounce it?
hǎo
When do people say it?
When someone makes a suggestion or a request, saying 好 functions as a way to express agreement, meaning 'okay' or 'fine'.
Did you know?
Examples in context
- 你好吗？我很好。How are you? I am good.
- 这个电影还不错。This movie is not bad.
- 你的中文说得很好。You speak Chinese very well.
- 你好。nǐ hǎo.Hello.
- 今天天气很好。jīn tiān tiān qì hěn hǎo.The weather is very good today.
- 这本小说很好看。zhè běn xiǎo shuō hěn hǎo kàn.This novel is very good to read.
Example conversation
Two friends meet at a park.
- 梓涵 Zihan伟，你好！Wěi, nǐ hǎo!Wei, hello!
- 伟 Wei梓涵，你好。Zǐ hán, nǐ hǎo.Zihan, hello.
- 梓涵 Zihan你最近好吗？nǐ zuì jìn hǎo ma?How have you been lately?
- 伟 Wei我很好，谢谢。wǒ hěn hǎo, xiè xie.I am very well, thank you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 好, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 好, CC BY-SA 4.0.
