Basic/Simple Sentence PatternsHSK 4
Expressing not knowing how to do something using 好
This pattern expresses uncertainty about how to do something by placing a question-word verb phrase before 好. The adverb 才 can be added before 好 for emphasis.
Structure
Subj. + 不知道 + [Verb Phrase] + 好
The verb phrase usually includes a question word (什么, 谁, 怎么, 哪个, etc.)
Subj. + 不知道 + [Verb Phrase] + 才 + 好
Adding 才 before 好 emphasizes the uncertainty
Examples
- 我真的不知道怎么办才好。Wǒ zhēnde bù zhīdào zěnme bàn cái hǎo .I really don't know what to do about this .
- 我们都不知道说什么好。Wǒmen dōu bù zhīdào shuō shénme hǎo .None of us knew what to say.
- 老板不知道怪谁好。Lǎobǎn bù zhīdào guài shéi hǎo .The boss wasn't sure who to blame.
- 都很漂亮，我不知道买哪件好。Dōu hěn piàoliang, wǒ bù zhīdào mǎi nǎ jiàn hǎo .They're all so pretty. I'm not sure which one to buy.
- 我想问，可是不知道什么时候问才好。Wǒ xiǎng wèn, kěshì bù zhīdào shénme shíhou wèn cái hǎo .I want to ask, but I'm not sure when to ask.