Chinese word

示好

Pronunciation

Pinyinshì hǎo

Meaning

  • verbshow goodwill

Example

他向新同事示好，送了水果。tā xiàng xīn tóng shì shì hǎo sòng le shuí guǒ

He showed goodwill toward his new colleague by giving them fruit.

Illustration for 示好 (show goodwill)

More examples

小张常常向邻居示好，帮忙拿快递。xiǎo zhāng cháng cháng xiàng lín jū shì hǎo bāng máng ná kuài dì

Zhang often shows goodwill toward his neighbors by helping them pick up deliveries.

Core concept

An outward sign of friendliness aimed at opening a relationship or winning someone over.

Common phrases

  • 向邻居示好xiàng lín jū shì hǎo

    show goodwill to one's neighbors

  • 主动示好zhǔ dòng shì hǎo

    proactively show goodwill

Similar words

讨好táo hǎo: Trying to gain someone's approval by pleasing, flattering, or accommodating them.
表示好感biǎo shì háo gǎn: An expression of favorable feelings toward someone through words or actions.

Definition in Chinese

向他人表现友善或试图取得好感，有时带有讨好意味。xiàng tā rén biǎo xiàn yǒu shàn huò shì tú qǔ dé háo gǎn yǒu shí dài yǒu táo hǎo yì wèi

Word origin

示好 (shìhǎo, "show goodwill") combines 示 (shì, "show") with 好 (hǎo, "good or favorable"), presenting a favorable attitude toward another person.

Usage tips

  • For everyday conversation, this verb often sounds more deliberate and formal than a simple description of friendliness, and it may hint that the speaker suspects an attempt to win approval.

Other meanings

  • curry favorverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word