How to use 最好
Subj. + 最好 + Predicate
最好 can present an action as the best or most advisable course in the circumstances. In this use it appears before the recommended predicate, commonly after the subject. The sentence may offer practical advice, express a preference, or make a fairly firm request without phrasing it as a bare command.
To recommend avoiding an action, put a suitable negative after 最好. 不要 and 别 are common when the meaning is “it is best not to.” The wording does not automatically make a demand gentle; tone and the speaker's authority still matter. Keep the recommendation use separate from 最好 describing a thing as best within a comparison group, even though both involve the idea of a preferred option.
Examples with pinyin and English
你最好先休息一下。
You'd better get some rest first.
你们最好给他打个电话问一下。
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。
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。
It's pretty cold outside. Best to wear some more layers.
What to remember
- Put 最好 before the recommended predicate.
- Place the negative after 最好.
- Context determines advice versus a firm request.
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Source and editorial notes
Explanation rewritten for Laowai. Examples are adapted from the Laowai English grammar curriculum, with editorial corrections where needed. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
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