Haohao is a versatile term used to express moderate satisfaction or relief from a potential negative outcome.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Used to express that something is acceptable or okay.
- Functions as an adverb to mean fortunately or luckily.
- Commonly used in daily conversations for mild feedback.
1) 概览：在现代汉语中，“还好”是一个多功能词汇。它既可以作为形容词使用，表示程度适中（即“还可以”），也可以作为副词使用，表示一种带有庆幸意味的语气（即“幸亏”）。
2) 使用模式：当表示程度时，它通常单独回答问题，例如“你最近怎么样？”回答“还好”。当表示庆幸时，它通常放在句首或句中，如“还好你没去，不然就迟到了”。
3) 常见语境：在日常交流中，人们常用“还好”来婉转地表达不满或仅仅是客观陈述。例如，当别人问饭菜好不好吃，说“还好”意味着“不算特别好，但也过得去”。在表达庆幸时，它常用于描述避开了坏结果的场景。
4) 近义词辨析：与“还行”相比，“还好”的语气更柔和；与“幸亏”相比，“还好”更口语化。理解“还好”的关键在于语调，升调通常表示询问，降调表示陈述或评价。
Examples
这顿饭味道还好。
everydayThe food is okay.
还好没有下雨。
informalFortunately, it didn't rain.
还好你提醒我，不然我就忘了。
informalLuckily you reminded me, otherwise I would have forgotten.
项目进展还好，正在按计划进行。
formalThe project progress is acceptable, proceeding as planned.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
还好还好
It's alright, it's alright (humble reply to praise)
还好没迟到
Luckily I wasn't late
Often Confused With
“幸好”强调的是“幸运”，语气比“还好”更强烈，专门用于庆幸。
“还行”侧重于评价能力或质量，比“还好”稍微肯定一点点。
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Haohao is strictly conversational. It is used to soften feedback or express personal relief. Avoid using it in high-stakes professional reports.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use it to mean 'very good' by mistake. Also, avoid placing it at the end of a sentence as a standalone adjective.
Tips
Use tone to convey meaning
The intonation changes the meaning. A flat tone is neutral, while an emphatic tone can express relief.
Avoid in formal writing
As a colloquial term, it is unsuitable for academic essays or formal business correspondence.
The Chinese art of modesty
Chinese speakers often use '还好' to avoid sounding boastful, reflecting a cultural preference for humility.
Word Origin
Derived from '还' (still/yet) and '好' (good). It evolved from the sense of 'still good' to 'acceptable' or 'thankfully good'.
Cultural Context
Reflects the Chinese tendency to be humble and avoid over-praising or over-complaining. It acts as a social buffer in conversations.
Memory Tip
Think of 'Haohao' as 'How-how' (like 'how is it?'). If something is 'how-how', it's just okay or luckily managed.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions两者意思基本相同，都可以表示“还可以”。不过“还行”听起来稍微更肯定一点，而“还好”则带有一种平淡或委婉的意味。
主要看语境。如果句子后接具体的原因，如“还好带了伞”，那就是庆幸；如果单独回答问题，就是表达程度一般。
“还好”属于非常口语化的表达。在正式的书面报告或商务场合，建议使用“尚可”、“还可以”或“幸运的是”。
很多学习者会把它翻译成英语的“Very good”，但实际上“还好”通常表示“Not bad”或“Average”，并不代表很好。
Test Yourself
今天天气___，不冷也不热。
“还好”表示程度适中，符合语境。
下列哪句表达了庆幸的含义？
该句中“还好”后接了原因，表示对避免了麻烦感到庆幸。
考试 / 还好 / 简单 / 比较
“还好”放在句首表示对考试结果的庆幸。
Score: /3
Summary
Haohao is a versatile term used to express moderate satisfaction or relief from a potential negative outcome.
- Used to express that something is acceptable or okay.
- Functions as an adverb to mean fortunately or luckily.
- Commonly used in daily conversations for mild feedback.
Use tone to convey meaning
The intonation changes the meaning. A flat tone is neutral, while an emphatic tone can express relief.
Avoid in formal writing
As a colloquial term, it is unsuitable for academic essays or formal business correspondence.
The Chinese art of modesty
Chinese speakers often use '还好' to avoid sounding boastful, reflecting a cultural preference for humility.
Examples
4 of 4这顿饭味道还好。
The food is okay.
还好没有下雨。
Fortunately, it didn't rain.
还好你提醒我，不然我就忘了。
Luckily you reminded me, otherwise I would have forgotten.
项目进展还好，正在按计划进行。
The project progress is acceptable, proceeding as planned.
