Coincidence with "zhenghao"

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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 大小 正好Zhè jiàn yīfu de hàomǎ zhènghǎo.The size of these clothes is just right.
  • 两 个 人 正好,一 个 做,一 个 检查。Liǎng gè rén zhènghǎo, yīgè zuò, yīgè jiǎnchá.Two people is perfect. One to work and one to check it.
  • 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。Zhè ge lóucéng zhènghǎo, bù gāo yě bù dī.The number is perfect, not too high, not too low.

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

  • 正好 要 出去,你 要 我 帮 你 带 什么 东西 吗?zhènghǎo yào chūqù, nǐ yào wǒ bāng nǐ dài shénme dōngxī 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 xiànzàizhènghǎoméi shì zuò,kěyǐ bāngnǐ zhàogù yíxià bǎobao.I just happened to have nothing to do now so I can help you with the baby.
  • 我 出 门 的 时候正好 下雨了。Wǒ chūmén de shíhou zhènghǎo xià yǔ.I was going out the door just as it started to rain.
  • 正好 要 给 你 打电话。zhènghǎo yào gěi nǐ dǎ diànhuà.I was just going to call you.
  • 现在 正好 是 十二点。Xiànzài zhènghǎo shì shí'èr diǎn.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。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.
  • 做 得 正好,不 太 辣 也 不 太 咸。Zuò dé zhènghǎo, bù tài là yě bù tài xián.It was made perfectly, not too spicy and not too salty.

Sources and further reading

Books