好 (hǎo)

One of the most important and versatile words in Mandarin. As an adjective, 好 means "good" or "fine." As an adverb before a verb or adjective, it means "well" or "very." As a standalone response, 好 means "OK," "sure," or "alright." It also appears in many fixed phrases and compounds.

Meanings

[adjective] Good, fine, well (describing things or states).
[adverb] Well (describing how something is done); very (intensifier before adjectives).
[interjection] OK, sure, alright (response expressing agreement).

Example Sentences

这本书很好。 Zhè běn shū hěn hǎo. This book is very good.

他说汉语说得很好。 Tā shuō Hànyǔ shuō de hěn hǎo. He speaks Chinese very well.

好，我明白了。 Hǎo, wǒ míngbái le. OK, I understand now.

你好吗？我很好，谢谢。 Nǐ hǎo ma? Wǒ hěn hǎo, xièxiè. How are you? I am fine, thank you.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
你好	hello (lit. you good)
好吃	delicious
好看	good-looking, nice to look at
好听	pleasant to hear
好玩	fun
好了	it's done / it's OK now

Memory Hook

好 is made of 女 (woman) and 子 (child) — a mother and child together, the picture of something good and harmonious. Everything is good when family is together.