要好

• Pinyin: yào hǎo
• Hanzi breakdown: 要 = 西 (west) + 女 (woman), here meaning important; 好 = 女 (woman) + 子 (child), meaning good

Meaning

Close; intimate; to be on good terms. Describing a close friendly relationship.

Used to describe close friendships. Common phrases: 要好的朋友 (close friend), 关系要好 (have a good relationship), 从小就要好 (close since childhood). More casual than 亲密, often used for friendships rather than romantic relationships.

Examples

1. 我们俩从小学就是要好的朋友。 We have been close friends since elementary school.
2. 他跟同事关系都挺要好的。 He gets along well with all his colleagues.
3. 她和室友相处得很要好。 She and her roommate get along very well.

Usage Guide

Context: friendships, relationships, everyday

Tone: warm

Do Say

• 他们是很要好的朋友。(They are very close friends.)
• 我和她从大学就很要好。(She and I have been close since college.)

Don't Say

• 要好的书 — 要好只用于描述人与人之间的关系

Origin & History

Compound where 要 means 'want/important' and 好 means 'good.' Together suggesting a relationship that matters and is good.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal