How to use 好
好 + Verb
好 before a suitable verb can describe an action as easy to carry out. The thing being evaluated often becomes the subject, while the verb identifies the activity that presents little difficulty. A degree word can modify the resulting description. This structure offers a positive counterpart to difficulty expressions formed with 难.
Several familiar combinations have established evaluative meanings rather than a literal “easy to” reading. Sensory compounds may praise taste, appearance, sound, or smell, and other words can describe enjoyment. Learn these combinations as whole expressions. Do not assume that a pleasant sensory quality says anything about the practical ease of performing the underlying action; context and conventional word meaning decide the interpretation.
Examples with pinyin and English
这个词的意思很好懂。
The meaning of this word is easy to understand.
这个汉字很好写。
This Chinese character is easy to write.
三明治很好做。
Sandwiches are easy to make.
苹果手机现在很好买。
iPhones are easy to buy now.
What to remember
- Put 好 before a suitable action verb.
- Learn sensory compounds as established expressions.
- Separate pleasant qualities from practical ease.
Practise the pattern
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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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