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.

Using 正好 with a noun

When used with a noun, use 正好 right after it, followed by an adjective.

Noun. + 正好（as a adjective）

Examples

• 这 件 衣服 的 号码 正好。The size of these clothes is just right.
• 两 个 人 正好，一 个 做，一 个 检查。Two people is perfect. One to work and one to check it.
• 水温 正好，不 冷 也 不 热。The temperature of the water is perfect, not too cold, not too hot.

Using 正好 with a verb

With just the verb

When used with a verb, the 正好 goes right before it.

正好 + V. (as a adverb)

Examples

• 我 正好 要 出去，你 要 我 帮 你 带 什么 东西 吗？I'm just about to leave. What do you want me to bring for you?
• 昨天 我 在 街上 正好 碰见 他。I just happened to run into him yesterday on the street.
• 我 出 门 的 时候正好 下雨。I was going out the door just as it started to rain.
• 我 正好 要 给 你 打 电话。I was just going to call you.
• 现在 正好 是 十二点。It's 12 o'clock right now.

With just 得 and a verb

You can also use 正好 along with 得, as shown in the following examples. This is usually a clause of its own.

V. + 得 + 正好 (as a adverb)

Examples

• 你 来 得 正好，不 早 也 不 晚。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。The rice was made perfectly, not too hard and not too soft.
• 做 得 正好，不 太 辣 也 不 太 咸。It was made perfectly, not too spicy and not too salty.

Sources and further reading

Books

• 现代汉语八百词（增订本） (pp. 671) →buy