Chinese word

正好

Pronunciation

Pinyinzhèng hǎo

Meaning

  • adverbhappen to

Example

我正好有空，可以帮你。wǒ zhèng hǎo yǒu kòng ké yǐ bāng nǐ

I happen to be free, so I can help you.

Illustration for 正好 (happen to)

More examples

你来得正好，我们可以出发了。nǐ lái de zhèng hǎo wǒ men ké yǐ chū fā le

You came at just the right time, so we can leave.

Core concept

A situation or action fits the moment or conditions exactly.

Common phrases

  • 正好有空zhèng hǎo yǒu kòng

    happen to be free

  • 正好可以帮忙zhèng hǎo ké yǐ bāng máng

    happen to be able to help

Similar words

刚好gāng hǎo: Occurs just when needed, so the timing works out well.

Definition in Chinese

表示某事正合适、恰到好处，多用于说明时机、条件或动作的适切性，作副词使用时通常放在动词前。biǎo shì mǒu shì zhèng hé shì qià dào hǎo chù duō yòng yú shuō míng shí jī tiáo jiàn huò dòng zuò de shì qiè xìng zuò fù cí shǐ yòng shí tōng cháng fàng zài dòng cí qián

Word origin

正好 (zhènghǎo, "just right") combines 正 (zhèng, "right") with 好 (hǎo, "good"), forming the idea that a time, condition, or action fits well.

Usage tips

  • In English, happen to often suggests chance, while this Chinese adverb can also show that timing fits a need, so its meaning is not always accidental.

Other meanings

  • just rightadjective
  • exactlyadverb

Opposites

  • 不巧bù qiǎounfortunatelyadverb

Word lists with this word