Coincidence with 正好(zhènghǎo)
正好 (zhènghǎo) can be used as an adjective or adverb to help express a coincidence, and it could be related to size, volume, quantity, degree, time, etc. This is similar to how we say in English “Oh, this shirt I grabbed was just the right size." or something like that.
Contents
- 1 Used as "happen to be"
- 1.1 Structure
- 1.2 Examples
- 2 Used as "just right"
- 2.1 Examples
- 3 See also
- 4 Sources and further reading
- 4.1 Books
正好as Predicate
When used with a noun, use 正好 right after it.
Structure
Examples
- 这 件 衣服 的 大小 正好。
Zhè jiàn yīfu de dàxiǎo zhènghǎo.
The size of these clothes is just right.
- 两 个 人 正好，一 个 说，一 个 演。
Liǎng gè rén zhènghǎo, yīgè shuō , yīgè yǎn.
Two people is perfect. One to speak and one to act.
- 水温 正好，不 冷 也 不 热。
Shuǐwēn zhènghǎo, bù lěng yě bù rè.
The temperature of the water is perfect, not too cold, not too hot.
- 这 个 楼层 正好，不 高 也 不 低。
Zhège lóucéng zhènghǎo, bù gāo yě bù dī.
The floor is perfect, not too high, not too low.
- 两 个 房间 正好 ， 我 一间，我 爸 妈 一间。
Liǎng gè fángjiān zhènghǎo, wǒ yījiān, wǒ bà mā yījiān.
Two rooms are perfect. One for me and one for my parents.
正好as An Adverb before Verbs
When used with a verb, the 正好 goes right before it.
Structure
Examples
- 我 正好 要 出去，你 要 我 帮 你 带 什么 东西 吗 ？
Wǒ zhènghǎo yào chūqù, nǐ yào wǒ bāng nǐ dài shénme dōngxi ma?
I'm just about to leave. What do you want me to bring for you?
- 我 现在 正好 没 事 做，可以 帮你 照顾 一下 宝宝 。
Wǒ xiànzài zhènghǎo méi shì zuò, kěyǐ bāng nǐ zhàogù yíxià bǎobao.
I just happened to have nothing to do now so I can help you with the baby.
- 你 来 了！我 正好 要 找 你 。
Nǐ lái le! Wǒ zhènghǎo yào zhǎo nǐ.
You are here! I've been looking for you.
- 他 正好 是 学 这 个 专业 的，也许 可以 帮 你 。
Tā zhènghǎo shì xué zhège zhuānyè de, yěxǔ kěyǐ bāng nǐ.
His major is just this. Maybe he could help you.
- 你们 都 要 来 ？ 太 好 了 ！ 正好 帮 我 搬 家 。
Nǐmen dōu yào lái? Tài hǎo le! Zhènghǎo bāng wǒ bānjiā.
Are you all coming? Great! So you can help me to move.
正好as Complements after得
You can also use 正好 along with 得, as shown in the following examples. This is usually a clause of its own.
Structure
Examples
- 你 来 得 正好，不 早 也 不 晚。
Nǐ láidé zhènghǎo, bù zǎo yě bù wǎn.
You arrived at just the right time, not too early and not too late.
- 米饭 煮 得 正好，不 硬 也 不 软。
Mǐfàn zhǔ dé zhènghǎo, bù yìng yě bù ruǎn.
The rice was made perfectly, not too hard and not too soft.
- 盐 放 得 正好，不 咸 也 不 淡。
Yán fàng de zhènghǎo, bù xián yě bù dàn.
The amount of salt you put was just right, not too salty and not too bland.
- 钱 给 得 正好，不 多 也 不 少。
Qián gěi de zhènghǎo, bù duō yě bù shǎo.
The money you gave was just right, not too much and not too little.
- 菜 点 得 正好，都 吃完 了。
Cài diǎn de zhènghǎo, dōu chī wán le.
The food you ordered was perfect. We finished them all.
Sources and further reading
Books
- 现代汉语八百词（增订本） (pp. 671)
- Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1 (p. 90)
Used as "happen to be"
You can also use 正好 to mean "happen to be."
Structure
Subj. + 正好 + [Verb Phrase]
Examples
我 正好 要 出去 ，垃圾 我 来 扔 吧 。
Wǒ zhènghǎo yào chūqù, lājī wǒ lái rēng ba.
I'm just about to leave. I'll take out the trash.
你 来 了 ！我 正好 要 找 你 。
Nǐ lái le! Wǒ zhènghǎo yào zhǎo nǐ.
You are here! I was just looking for you.
他 正好 问 了 我 想 问 的 问题 。
Tā zhènghǎo wèn le wǒ xiǎng wèn de wèntí.
He happened to ask the question that I wanted to ask.
我 正好 也 在 这里 实习 。
Wǒ zhènghǎo yě zài zhèlǐ shíxí.
I happened to do my internship there too.
正好 你们 都 是 单身 。
Zhènghǎo nǐmen dōu shì dānshēn.
You both happen to be single.
我 明天 见 他 ，正好 可以 问问 他 这 件 事 。
Wǒ míngtiān jiàn tā, zhènghǎo kěyǐ wènwen tā zhè jiàn shì.
I'm going to meet with him tomorrow. I can just ask him about this matter.
我们 正好 也 要 去 那儿 ，一起 走 吧 。
Wǒmen zhènghǎo yě yào qù nàr, yīqǐ zǒu ba.
We just happen to be going there. Let's go together.
我 敲 门 的 时候 ，他 正好 出门 。
Wǒ qiāo mén de shíhou, tā zhènghǎo chūmén.
He just happened to be leaving the house while I was knocking at the door.
Used as "just right"
You can also use 正好 to mean "just right" or "just enough."
Examples
这 件 衣服 的 大小 正好 。
Zhè jiàn yīfu de dàxiǎo zhènghǎo.
The size of these clothes is just right.
水温 正好，不 冷 也 不 热 。
Shuǐwēn zhènghǎo, bù lěng yě bù rè.
The temperature of the water is perfect, not too cold, not too hot.
See also
Sources and further reading
Books
现代汉语八百词（增订本） (pp. 671) [ →buy]
Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1 (pp. 90) →buy