V+好
Do It Properly
Attaching V+好 (hou2) to a verb shows that an action is not just finished, but done properly, thoroughly, or prepared and ready for use or next steps. For negation, place 未 (mei6) before the verb (e.g., 未做好 mei6 zou6 hou2 - 'not finished properly yet').
How It Works
The pattern V + 好 (hou2) is one of the most common resultative verb compounds in Cantonese. Placed immediately after an action verb, 好 functions as a resultative complement indicating that the action was carried out to a satisfactory standard or that preparation is complete.
Key Functions:
1. Satisfactory Completion & Readiness: Doing an action until something is ready or done well (e.g., 煮好 zyu2 hou2 - 'cooked and ready to eat', 收好 sau1 hou2 - 'pack away neatly').
2. Settled Decisions: When paired with cognitive or communication verbs, it signals a firm decision or agreement (e.g., 諗好 nam2 hou2 - 'decided / thought through', 講好 gong2 hou2 - 'agreed upon').
Grammatical Structures:
• Affirmative: Verb + 好 + 咗 + Object OR Verb + 好 + Object + 喇
Note: The aspect marker 咗 (zo2) must go directly after V+好 before the object (e.g., 我做好咗功課 ngo5 zou6 hou2 zo2 gung1 fo3 - 'I have finished my homework'). Sentence-final particles like 喇 (laa3) appear at the end of the sentence (e.g., 我做好功課喇 ngo5 zou6 hou2 gung1 fo3 laa3 - 'I've finished my homework').
• Negation: Place 未 (mei6 - 'not yet') before the main verb compound (e.g., 我未做好功課 ngo5 mei6 zou6 hou2 gung1 fo3 - 'I haven't finished my homework properly yet'). Note that 未 is the primary negator for readiness; using 冇 usually implies 'didn't do well' rather than 'not ready yet'.
• Potential vs. Manner Complement: Note that V + 得 + 好 (e.g., 做得好 zou6 dak1 hou2) is a manner complement meaning 'does something well', not potential completion. For potential negative ('cannot manage to finish properly'), insert 唔 (m4) between the verb and 好 (e.g., 做唔好 zou6 m4 hou2). For affirmative potential ('can finish properly'), use 可以 + V + 好 or V + 到.
Important Distinction:
Do not confuse post-verbal 好 with pre-verbal 唔好 (m4 hou2). Pre-verbal 唔好 means 'don't!' (prohibition). Saying '唔好做功課' means 'Don't do homework!', whereas '未做好功課' means 'Haven't finished homework properly yet'.
Examples (5)
- 我做好功課喇。
I have finished doing my homework.
Word by Word: I do properly homework particle.
做好 (zou6 hou2) indicates that the homework is completed properly and ready to be checked or handed in.
- 晚餐煮好咗，快啲嚟食啦！
Dinner is cooked and ready, come quickly to eat!
Word by Word: Dinner cook properly finished, quick bit come eat particle!
煮好 (zyu2 hou2) shows that the meal is completely cooked and prepared for eating.
- 你諗好去邊度玩未呀？
Have you decided where to go for fun yet?
Word by Word: You think properly go where play not-yet particle?
諗好 (nam2 hou2) means to have thought something through and settled on a firm decision.
- 記得收好啲行李。
Remember to pack away your luggage properly.
Word by Word: Remember collect properly plural luggage.
收好 (sau1 hou2) emphasizes storing or packing items neatly and securely.
- 我哋仲未準備好。
We are still not ready yet.
Word by Word: We still not-yet prepare properly.
準備好 (zeon2 bei6 hou2) is the standard phrase for reaching a state of preparation.
Common Mistakes
Putting 咗 (zo2) at the end instead of right after V+好.
Different Meaning我做好功課咗。我做好咗功課。我做好功課咗 is also fine, with 咗 at the end of the sentence. Putting 咗 straight after the V+好 compound (做好咗功課) stresses that the job is properly done.
Using pre-verbal 唔好 (m4 hou2) to negate completion instead of placing 未 (mei6) before the verb.
我唔好做功課。我未做好功課。Pre-verbal 唔好 (m4 hou2) is a prohibitive marker meaning 'don't!'. To express that an action isn't finished properly yet, place 未 (mei6 - 'not yet') before the verb.
Using 冇 (mou5) when you mean "not finished yet".
Different Meaning我冇做好功課。我未做好功課。我冇做好功課 is a fine sentence, but it means you did not do the homework properly (or it did not get done). To say it is not finished yet, use 未 (mei6): 未做好.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'V+好', you first need to understand the basic structure of Cantonese verbs and how they can be modified by particles. Since '好' functions here as a resultative complement, knowing the general concept of resultative verb compounds (V+結果補語) is helpful. Additionally, recognizing '好' from its basic meaning of 'good' helps in understanding why it signifies that a task is completed properly or fully.
- Resultative verb compounds
The 'V+好' pattern is a specific type of resultative verb compound where the second element indicates the result of the action.
Level 2 - 好（程度）Very (The Default Filler)
Familiarity with '好' as an adjective meaning 'good' or 'well' provides the semantic basis for its use as a resultative particle meaning 'done well'.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- V+完Finish Doing
V+完 emphasizes chronological completion, whereas V+好 emphasizes quality, thoroughness, and readiness for use.
Level 2 - 未+VNot Yet
未 (mei6) is placed before the verb compound (未 + V + 好) as the primary negator to express that an action is not yet properly completed.
Level 1 - 唔好Don't (Prohibition)
Pre-verbal 唔好 (m4 hou2) functions as an imperative prohibitive marker ('don't!'), distinct from post-verbal 好.
Level 2 - Verb + 得 + AdjectiveManner Complement
V+得+好 (e.g. 做得好) is a manner complement describing doing an action well, whereas V+好 describes reaching a finished, ready state.
Level 2 - V+到 (dou2)Successful Attainment
V+到 emphasizes successfully attaining or reaching a goal, while V+好 focuses on completing preparation to a satisfactory standard.
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice V+好 in Bubblegum
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