HSK 4
⋯⋯,好⋯⋯
⋯ ⋯ , hǎo ⋯ ⋯
The structure '好' indicating purpose
Explanation
好 (hǎo) here does NOT mean "good" but is a conjunction (a word linking clauses) indicating PURPOSE, placed in the latter clause, meaning "so as to", "so that", "in order to".
clause 1 (an action/deed), + 好 (hǎo) + clause 2 (the purpose to be achieved). It very often goes together with 让 (ràng, to let/make): 好让父母放心 "so that the parents can rest assured". For example 好帮助学生练习汉字 "so as to help students practice Chinese characters".
when the action in the first clause is aimed at creating conditions for a good result in the second clause; it has a colloquial, gentle tone.
好 (hǎo, so as to) carries a spoken, informal color; whereas 以便 (yǐbiàn, in order to make convenient) is more formal and often used in written language. Both indicate purpose, but choose 好 for everyday conversation.
misunderstanding 好 in this position as "good" or "done"; in fact it links the purpose clause. Also remember 好 comes at the START of the latter clause and often comes with 让 to indicate the beneficiary of the result.
Examples
The teacher assigned a dictation exercise, so as to help the students practice Chinese characters.
We should continually guide him, so that he can have confidence in himself.
She calls home every day, so that her parents can rest assured.
Practice
Test your understanding with a quick quiz
Learn “⋯⋯,好⋯⋯” effectively
The grammar point “⋯⋯,好⋯⋯” (The structure '好' indicating purpose) is one of the key structures at HSK 4. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.
You can also view the full “” lesson to understand the related grammar and vocabulary more deeply.