好好

Usually, you put 好好 right before a verb. You will often see it paired with the particle 地 (de), though in casual speech, people often skip it. For example, 好好学习 (study hard) is a classic. It’s short, punchy, and very effective. It works best with single or double-syllable verbs. Just drop it in front and you've instantly upgraded your sentence.

Use it when you want to show care or give advice. If a friend is sick, tell them to 好好休息 (rest well). If you are treating someone to dinner, tell them to 好好吃 (eat up/enjoy). It’s perfect for texting when you want to sound supportive. It also works in the office when you need to focus. It’s the linguistic equivalent of a supportive pat on the back.

Don't use it for negative actions. You wouldn't say 'properly fail' or 'properly argue.' It’s almost always used for positive or productive behaviors. Also, avoid using it in extremely stiff, legal, or high-level government documents. It’s a bit too 'cozy' for a court of law. If you're talking to a high-ranking official you've never met, maybe stick to more formal adverbs.

Chinese culture places a huge emphasis on 'doing things right.' This phrase reflects that value but in a very domestic, familial way. It’s what mothers say to children and what friends say to each other. It represents the 'Goldilocks' zone of Chinese social interaction. It’s not too cold, not too intense, but just right. It shows you actually care about the outcome of the other person's action.

In Southern China or Taiwan, you might hear people add a 'r' sound or change the tone slightly. You’ll also see 好好儿 (hǎohāor) in Northern dialects like Beijing. Another common one is 好好过 (live life well). Sometimes people repeat it for emphasis in a playful way. It’s a very flexible building block for everyday Chinese.