好好

• Pinyin: hǎo hǎo
• Hanzi breakdown: 好 = 女 (woman) + 子 (child), suggesting goodness or harmony; 好好 is its reduplication for emphasis

Meaning

Properly; well; thoroughly. Emphasizes doing something carefully, seriously, or to a satisfying degree.

A reduplicated form of 好 used as an adverb to stress the manner of doing something. Very common in spoken Chinese, especially in advice, instructions, and encouragement. Carries a sense of earnestness or thoroughness.

Examples

1. 你要好好学习，不要浪费时间。 You need to study well and not waste time.
2. 周末我想好好休息一下。 I want to have a good rest this weekend.
3. 好好想想再决定吧。 Think it over carefully before making a decision.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, advice, encouragement

Tone: earnest

Do Say

• 好好吃饭，别着急。(Eat properly, don't rush.)
• 我们好好谈谈吧。(Let's have a proper talk.)

Don't Say

• 他好好是个学生。(Don't use 好好 as an adjective before a noun — it only works as an adverb before verbs. Say 他是个好学生 instead)

Origin & History

A reduplication of 好 (good, well) for emphasis. Reduplication of adjectives and adverbs is a common Chinese grammatical pattern that intensifies meaning.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal