好 vs 对 (hǎo vs duì): resultative complements for 'done well' vs 'correctly'
When used as resultative verb complements, 好 (hǎo) indicates that an action is performed well, thoroughly, or that the object is ready for use. 对 (duì) indicates that the result is factually correct or matches a standard. Choose 好 for completion and readiness, and 对 for accuracy.
Both 好 and 对 can function as resultative complements placed after a verb to describe the result of an action. They differ in what aspect of the result they emphasize: 好 stresses that the action is carried out well, thoroughly, or that the object is in a ready state, while 对 stresses that the result is correct, accurate, or follows a norm. Understanding this distinction helps avoid common mistakes when expressing whether something is 'done properly' versus 'done correctly'.
When to use each
Use 好 after a verb when you want to say that the action was performed thoroughly, properly, or to a satisfactory degree. It often implies the completion of an action with a good or ready result, such as cooking a meal (做好), repairing something (修好), or preparing something (准备好).
In some contexts, 好 can also imply that the object is in a usable or finished state, not just 'well done'. For example, 写好 (xiě hǎo) means 'written out' or 'finished writing', while 写对 (xiě duì) means 'written correctly'.
Use 对 after a verb to indicate that the action or its result is correct, accurate, or matches a standard. It is common with verbs involving thought, choice, or verification, such as 想对 (think correctly), 做对 (do correctly), 说对 (say correctly).
对 focuses solely on factual correctness and does not imply completion in the sense of being 'ready'. Something can be 做对 (done correctly) but still not be 做好 (done well/finished) if additional steps are needed.
At a glance
| 好 | 对 | |
|---|---|---|
| Core meaning | Done well, thoroughly, or ready for use | Factually correct or matching a standard |
| Focus | Quality of execution and readiness | Accuracy and correctness |
| Common verbs | 做 (do), 写 (write), 准备 (prepare), 修 (repair) | 想 (think), 做 (do), 说 (say), 回答 (answer) |
| Negation | 没做好 (not done well/not ready) | 没做对 (not done correctly) |
| Implies completion? | Typically yes – the task is finished and in a good state | No – only correctness; the task may still be incomplete |
Examples
- 好饭已经做好了。Fàn yǐjīng zuòhǎo le.The meal is already prepared (done well).好 emphasizes that the food is ready to eat.
- 对这道题你做对了。Zhè dào tí nǐ zuòduì le.You answered this question correctly.对 indicates the answer is factually correct.
- 好请把房间收拾好。Qǐng bǎ fángjiān shōushi hǎo.Please tidy up the room (so it is in order).好 here means 'tidy and ready'.
- 对你想对了，他就是新经理。Nǐ xiǎngduì le, tā jiùshì xīn jīnglǐ.You guessed correctly; he is the new manager.对 used with 想 to mean 'think correctly'.
- 对✗我的论文做对了，可以交了。✗ Wǒ de lùnwén zuòduì le, kěyǐ jiāo le.✗ My thesis is done correctly, so I can submit it.Should be 做好了 (zuòhǎo) because the intended meaning is 'completed and ready to submit', not just 'correct'.
Common mistakes
- Using 对 for 'done well' or 'ready' — for example, saying 作业做对了吗？ (Is the homework done correctly?) when you mean 作业做好了吗？ (Is the homework done/ready?).
- Using 好 to mean 'correct' — for example, 答案做好了 (The answer is done well) when you mean 答案做对了 (The answer is correct).
- Using 对 with verbs that emphasize thoroughness, like 准备对 (prepare correctly) where 准备好 (prepare well/ready) is needed.
FAQ
- When do I use 好 vs 对 as resultative complements?
- Use 好 when you want to say the action is done well, thoroughly, or the object is ready for use. Use 对 when you want to say the action or its result is factually correct. For example, 写好 (write out, finished) vs 写对 (write correctly).
- Can I use 好 and 对 together, like 做好对?
- No, you generally cannot combine two resultative complements directly. If you need to express both completeness and correctness, you can use separate clauses or a different structure, e.g., 已经做好了，而且也都做对了 (It's already done well, and everything is correct).
- Do 好 and 对 always imply the action is finished?
- 好 typically implies that the action is finished and the result is in a good state. 对 does not necessarily imply completion; you can say 想对 (think correctly) about a past thought or a current conclusion, but it does not guarantee the entire task is done.