成 vs 好 (chéng vs hǎo): transformation vs completion as resultative complements
成 and 好 are common resultative complements in Chinese. 成 emphasizes a transformation or conversion into a specific outcome (e.g., 做成 'make into'), while 好 stresses that a task is completed to a satisfactory or ready state (e.g., 做好 'finish making'). Knowing whether you mean 'become X' or 'finish/fix X' guides your choice.
Both 成 and 好 can follow verbs as resultative complements to describe the outcome of an action. 成 indicates a transformation or successful conversion into a new state or object (e.g., 变成 'turn into', 做成 'make into'). 好 indicates that an action is completed to a proper or ready state, often meaning 'finished' or 'done properly' (e.g., 做好 'finish making', 放好 'put in place'). The core choice depends on whether you focus on the change itself (成) or on the satisfactory completion (好).
When to use each
Use 成 after a verb to express that an action results in a transformation into a specific state or object. It implies successful conversion or achievement, e.g., 变成 (turn into), 做成 (succeed in making into). It can also mark the successful attainment of a goal, like 考成了 (passed an exam).
成 often carries a sense of 'turning into something different' or 'realizing a goal', not just finishing a process.
Use 好 after a verb to indicate that an action has been completed to a satisfactory or ready state. It emphasizes finishing a task or making something ready, e.g., 做好 (finish making), 放好 (put away properly), 修好 (repair successfully). It implies the result is in a good or usable condition.
好 often implies readiness for use or a proper state, not merely any completion – e.g., 做好饭 means 'cooked the meal (and it's ready to eat)'.
At a glance
| 成 | 好 | |
|---|---|---|
| Core meaning | Transformation into a new state or object | Completion to a satisfactory/ready state |
| Focus | The change or result itself (e.g., became ice) | The task being finished and ready (e.g., put in place) |
| Common verbs | 变 (change), 做 (make), 考 (test), 改 (change/revise) | 做 (do), 放 (place), 修 (repair), 洗 (wash), 准备 (prepare) |
| Negation | 没做成 (didn't succeed in making into), 没变成 (didn't turn into) | 没做好 (didn't finish making), 没放好 (didn't put in place properly) |
Examples
- 成他把水变成了冰。Tā bǎ shuǐ biàn chéng le bīng.He turned the water into ice.成 indicates transformation – water becomes ice.
- 成我做成了一把椅子。Wǒ zuò chéng le yī bǎ yǐzi.I succeeded in making a chair (from materials).成 highlights the successful creation/transformation.
- 好我已经做好饭了。Wǒ yǐjīng zuò hǎo fàn le.I have already finished cooking (the meal is ready).好 marks completion and readiness of the meal.
- 好请把照片放好。Qǐng bǎ zhàopiàn fàng hǎo.Please put the photo in place properly.好 indicates the action of placing is completed to a proper state.
- 好他把文章改好了。Tā bǎ wénzhāng gǎi hǎo le.He revised the article (and it's now satisfactory).好 implies the revision is finished and the article is ready.
Common mistakes
- Using 好 instead of 成 for a transformation, e.g., 把水变好 instead of 把水变成冰 – use 成 for physical change.
- Using 成 instead of 好 for simple task completion, e.g., 做成作业 instead of 做好作业 – if you mean 'finish homework', 好 is correct.
- Stacking both complements as in 做好成了 – standard Chinese does not allow two resultative complements directly; choose one or rephrase.
- Using 成 with verbs that do not imply a transformation, e.g., 看成一本书 – should be 看成 is fine (regard as) but 好 is not applicable; this is a different meaning.
FAQ
- When do I use 成 vs 好 as verb complements?
- Use 成 when the result is a transformation into a new state or object (e.g., 变成 'turn into', 做成 'make into'). Use 好 when the result is the completion of a task to a ready or proper state (e.g., 做好 'finish making', 放好 'put away'). Ask yourself: 'Did it become something else?' (成) or 'Is it finished/ready?' (好).
- Can 成 and 好 be used with the same verb?
- Yes, but the meaning differs. For example, 做成 means 'succeed in making into (something)', while 做好 means 'finish making'. With 做, 做好 focuses on completing the making; 做成 focuses on the result being a specific object. Sometimes only one is natural – e.g., 变成 (turn into) usually takes 成, not 好.
- How do I negate sentences with 成 or 好?
- Use 没 (méi) before the verb and drop 了: e.g., 没做成 (didn't succeed in making into), 没做好 (didn't finish making). With 了, negation uses 没…（了）: e.g., 他没把水变成冰 (he didn't turn water into ice).