也好

• Pinyin: yě hǎo
• Hanzi breakdown: 也 = grammatical particle for 'also/too'; 好 = good/fine

Meaning

Might as well; it's fine; whether... or. Expresses acceptance or indifference to options.

Used to accept something as satisfactory even if not ideal, or to list alternatives that are equally acceptable. Often appears in pairs like 'A也好，B也好' meaning 'whether A or B, it doesn't matter.' Can soften a suggestion or show flexibility.

Examples

1. 你不来也好，反正人已经够多了。 It's fine if you don't come — there are already enough people anyway.
2. 中餐也好，西餐也好，我都可以。 Chinese food or Western food, either is fine with me.
3. 既然他不愿意参加，那就算了也好。 Since he doesn't want to participate, it might as well be dropped.

Usage Guide

Context: acceptance, alternatives, conversation

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 去也好，不去也好，你自己决定。(Whether you go or not, you decide.)
• 今天不做也好，明天再说。(It's fine not to do it today — we can talk tomorrow.)

Don't Say

• 也好你来了 (Word order wrong — say 你来也好 or 你来了也好)

Origin & History

Compound of 也 (also, too) and 好 (good, fine). Together they express 'it's also fine' or 'that works too.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal