Coincidence with "zhenghao"

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.

正好 as Predicate

When used with a noun, use 正好 right after it.

Structure

Subj. + 正好

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

正好 + Verb

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

Verb + 得 + 正好

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) →buy
• Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1 (p. 90) →buy