In 15 Seconds
- A positive way to describe your work team.
- Uses 'dou' to mean everyone is included.
- Perfect for small talk and interviews.
Meaning
This phrase is a simple, warm way to say that your coworkers are kind and easy to get along with. It is the go-to response when someone asks how your new job is going.
Key Examples
3 of 6Catching up with an old friend
新工作不错，同事都很好。
The new job is good, colleagues are all very nice.
A formal job interview
在之前的公司，我的同事都很好。
At my previous company, my colleagues were all very nice.
Texting a spouse after the first day
放心吧，同事都很好！
Don't worry, the colleagues are all great!
Cultural Background
In Chinese work culture, the concept of 'Guanxi' (connections) starts with your immediate team. Being able to say your colleagues are good is a common way to signal that your work life is stable and stress-free. It reflects the Confucian ideal of social harmony within one's 'inner circle'.
The Power of 'Dou'
Don't forget the `都` (dōu). Without it, the sentence feels a bit naked. It emphasizes that the whole group is good, which sounds more natural in Chinese.
Watch the Tone
If you say this with a sigh, people will think you are being sarcastic! Use a rising, bright tone to show you actually mean it.
In 15 Seconds
- A positive way to describe your work team.
- Uses 'dou' to mean everyone is included.
- Perfect for small talk and interviews.
What It Means
This phrase is your bread and butter for workplace small talk. It literally means colleagues all very good. In Chinese, 都 (dōu) means 'all'. It adds a nice punch of positivity. It implies a harmonious office environment. You aren't just saying they are okay. You are saying the whole team is great.
How To Use It
Use it as a complete sentence. You don't need a fancy verb like 'to be'. Just say 同事都很好. It is perfect for answering 'How is work?' It sounds natural and sincere. You can add 我的 (wǒ de) at the start. This makes it 'My colleagues are all nice.' But usually, the short version is better.
When To Use It
Use it when meeting friends for coffee. Use it when your parents call to check in. It is great for job interviews too. If an interviewer asks about your previous team, say this. It shows you are a positive person. It also works in a company Slack channel. Use it to praise your team publicly.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it if you are actually complaining. If your boss is a nightmare, this phrase is a lie. Also, don't use it for just one person. For one person, say 他很好 (He is very good). Avoid using it in super-legal documents. It is a bit too conversational for a contract. If you hate your job, maybe skip this one.
Cultural Background
Chinese culture highly values 'Harmony' or 和谐 (héxié). Having a good relationship with colleagues is vital. It is often more important than the salary itself. People spend more time with coworkers than family. Saying this phrase shows you have 'face' and good social standing. It suggests you fit into the group well. It is a sign of a successful professional life.
Common Variations
If they are extremely nice, add 非常 (fēicháng). Say 同事都非常好. If they are just 'so-so', say 同事还可以 (hái kěyǐ). If you want to be more specific, try 同事很照顾我. This means 'Colleagues really look after me.' It adds a touch of gratitude. Use 大家 (dàjiā) for 'everyone' to sound even friendlier.
Usage Notes
This is a safe, high-frequency expression. It sits right in the middle of formal and informal, making it useful for almost any social situation involving work talk.
The Power of 'Dou'
Don't forget the `都` (dōu). Without it, the sentence feels a bit naked. It emphasizes that the whole group is good, which sounds more natural in Chinese.
Watch the Tone
If you say this with a sigh, people will think you are being sarcastic! Use a rising, bright tone to show you actually mean it.
The 'Face' Factor
Even if one colleague is annoying, Chinese people often say `同事都很好` to save face for the group and avoid sounding like a complainer.
Examples
6新工作不错，同事都很好。
The new job is good, colleagues are all very nice.
A very common way to update friends on your life.
在之前的公司，我的同事都很好。
At my previous company, my colleagues were all very nice.
Shows you are a team player who appreciates others.
放心吧，同事都很好！
Don't worry, the colleagues are all great!
Reassuring a loved one about a new environment.
哪里哪里，主要是同事都很好。
Not at all, it's mainly because my colleagues are so good.
Deflecting credit to the team, which is very polite in China.
我会想大家的，同事都很好。
I will miss everyone, the colleagues were all so nice.
Used to express genuine emotion during a farewell.
公司环境一般，但同事都很好。
The office environment is average, but the colleagues are great.
Using 'but' to highlight the people as the best part.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence to say 'My colleagues are all very nice.'
我的 ___ 都很好。
`同事` (tóngshì) means colleagues, while `同学` means classmates and `老板` means boss.
Which word makes the phrase mean 'ALL' the colleagues are nice?
同事 ___ 很好。
`都` (dōu) is the adverb used to indicate 'all' or 'both' in this context.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Spectrum
Texting a friend about work.
同事都挺好的。
Standard response to 'How's work?'
同事都很好。
In a professional interview setting.
我的同事们都非常友善。
When to say '同事都很好'
Family Dinner
Telling parents you like your job.
Job Interview
Describing your previous work culture.
Coffee with Friends
Sharing updates about your new office.
Leaving Party
Thanking the team for their support.
Practice Bank
2 exercises我的 ___ 都很好。
`同事` (tóngshì) means colleagues, while `同学` means classmates and `老板` means boss.
同事 ___ 很好。
`都` (dōu) is the adverb used to indicate 'all' or 'both' in this context.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot necessarily. It usually refers to their personality and how they treat you. If you want to say they are competent, use 同事都很专业 (zhuānyè).
Just swap 同事 for 同学 (tóngxué). So, 同学都很好 means 'Classmates are all nice.'
It's neutral. You can say it to a boss about another department, and it sounds perfectly polite.
Add 特别 (tèbié) or 非常 (fēicháng). For example: 同事都特别好！ (Colleagues are especially nice!)
You could say 大部分同事都很好 (Dà bùfèn...), which means 'Most colleagues are very nice.'
Grammatically, no, but colloquially, yes. It makes the sentence flow much better when talking about a group.
The opposite would be 同事都不太好 (Colleagues aren't very good) or 同事很难相处 (Colleagues are hard to get along with).
Yes! It's very common in WeChat messages when talking about work life.
No, in this context, 好 (hǎo) refers to their character, meaning 'kind', 'helpful', or 'friendly'.
You can say 同事们, but in casual speech, 同事 is already understood as plural because of the word 都.
