叫好

• Pinyin: jiào hǎo
• Hanzi breakdown: 叫 = to call, shout; 好 = good — shouting approval

Meaning

To cheer; to applaud; to shout approval. To express enthusiastic praise or approval, especially during a performance.

Originated in theater contexts where audiences would shout '好!' to express approval. Now used broadly for expressing enthusiastic support or praise. Often contrasted with 叫座 (box office success) in the phrase 叫好又叫座 (critically acclaimed and commercially successful).

Examples

1. 精彩的表演让观众忍不住叫好。 The brilliant performance made the audience cheer involuntarily.
2. 这部电影叫好不叫座，评价很高但票房一般。 This movie was critically acclaimed but not a box office hit — high ratings but average ticket sales.
3. 她的演讲赢得了全场叫好。 Her speech won cheers from the entire audience.

Usage Guide

Context: entertainment, sports, praise

Tone: enthusiastic

Do Say

• 观众们纷纷叫好。(The audience cheered enthusiastically.)
• 这首歌叫好又叫座。(This song is both critically acclaimed and commercially successful.)

Don't Say

• 用'叫好'描述安静的认可 (Don't use 叫好 for quiet approval — it implies vocal, enthusiastic praise; use 赞同 or 认可 for quieter approval)

Origin & History

Composed of 叫 (to call; to shout) + 好 (good). Literally shouting 'good!' in approval.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal