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 bàmā 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.
• 我 出 门 的 时候正好 下雨了。Wǒ chūmén de shíhou zhènghǎo xià yǔ le.I was going out the door just as it started to rain.
• 你 来 了！我 正好 要 给 你 打 电话 。 Nǐ lái le! Wǒ zhènghǎo yào gěi nǐ dǎ diànhuà.You are here! I was just going to call 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.

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.
• 这 个 地方 你 选 得 正好，离 我们 都 很 近。Zhège dìfang nǐ xuǎn de zhènghǎo, lí wǒmen dōu hěn jìn.The place you chose was perfect. It was close to both of us.

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