The complement of result “好”

In Chinese, placing 好 (hǎo) directly after a verb indicates that an action is not just completed, but completed successfully, properly, or to full satisfaction.

Key Difference

我(Wǒ)吃(chī)完(wán)了(le)。

I've finished eating. (Focuses purely on completing the process)

我(Wǒ)吃(chī)好(hǎo)了(le)。

I've finished eating and I'm satisfied/full. (Focuses on a satisfactory result)

完 marks the END of the action, 好 marks its RESULT. So 饭做完了 means “the cooking stopped”, while 饭做好了 means “the food is ready”.

Grammar Structure

Affirmative: Verb + 好 (+ 了)

Negative: 没(有) + Verb + 好

Question: Verb + 好 + 了吗？

In the negative the 了 DROPS: 没做好 (✓), 没做好了 (✗).

Example Sentences

今(Jīn)晚(wǎn)的(de)电(diàn)影(yǐng)小(Xiǎo)刚(gāng)已(yǐ)经(jīng)买(mǎi)好(hǎo)票(piào)了(le)。

Xiaogang has already bought the tickets for tonight's movie.

饭(Fàn)还(hái)没(méi)做(zuò)好(hǎo)，请(qǐng)你(nǐ)等(děng)一(yí)会儿(huìr)。

The meal isn't ready yet; please wait a moment.

去(Qù)旅(lǚ)游(yóu)的(de)东(dōng)西(xi)准(zhǔn)备(bèi)好(hǎo)了(le)吗(ma)？

Are the things for the trip fully prepared?

我(Wǒ)还(hái)没(méi)想(xiǎng)好(hǎo)要(yào)不(bu)要(yào)跟(gēn)你(nǐ)去(qù)呢(ne)。

I haven't decided whether I want to go with you yet.

Common Collocations

准(zhǔn)备(bèi)好(hǎo)To be fully prepared / ready

买(mǎi)好(hǎo)To buy and secure (tickets, items, etc.)

做(zuò)好(hǎo)To finish making / cooking completely

想(xiǎng)好(hǎo)To think through and reach a firm decision

写(xiě)好(hǎo)To finish writing