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刚好 (gāng hǎo) — (adverb) just, exactly; (adjective) to be just right, to happen to be

Definition

Means 'just right' or 'happens to' — focus on lucky timing or a perfect fit (刚好赶上, 刚好合适). Pairs naturally with 正好 in the same meaning; 刚刚 only refers to 'a moment ago' and does not mean 'just right'.

adverb
justexactly
adjective
to be just rightto happen to be

Examples

  • 刚好。
    Wǒ men gāng hǎo gǎn shàng le zuì hòu yì bān chē.
    We just caught the last bus.
  • 刚好。
    Zhè ge zuò wèi dà xiǎo gāng hǎo.
    The size of this seat is just right.
  • 刚好。
    Wǒ gāng hǎo mǎi dào le zuì hòu yí piào.
    I just managed to get the last ticket.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

刚gāngjust
好hǎoright

「刚」 gives just and 「好」 gives right or exactly, together meaning just right.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 剛; 刚 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 剛 was made by combining a picture-like sign with a sign that gave its sound; the simplified 刚 is a later shorthand.

Open 刚 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

好 joins 女 (woman) and 子 (child), understood as a woman with a child, linked to goodness or affection.

Open 好 →
Appears in
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