对
duì
Correct
How to say "OK" in Chinese
好
hǎo
OK
Character breakdown
Grammar and structure
好 (hǎo) is an adjective meaning "good" or "fine." As a standalone response, it functions as an interjection meaning "OK" or "alright."
Variations and politeness
好的
hǎo de
OK (more polite) — More polite and slightly more formal than just 好.
行
xíng
all right — More casual and colloquial; often used in northern China.
可以
kěyǐ
can / may — Used when agreeing to a permission or request.
Mini dialogue
A
你可以来吗？
Nǐ kěyǐ lái ma?
Can you come?
B
好！
Hǎo!
OK!
When to use it
Appropriate
- When agreeing to a suggestion or request.
- When acknowledging a statement in a casual conversation.
- When you want to say 'OK' or 'alright' in a friendly way.
Avoid when
- In very formal situations, where 好的 (hǎo de) or 可以 (kěyǐ) would be more appropriate.
- When you want to express 'good' as an adjective before a noun (e.g., 'a good person'), because 好 alone as a response means 'OK', not 'good'.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say 'OK' in Chinese?
You can say 好 (hǎo), which means 'OK' or 'alright' when used as a response.
How do you pronounce 好?
It is pronounced 'hǎo' with a third tone, starting mid, dipping down, then rising.
When do you use 好 instead of 好的?
好 is more casual and direct, while 好的 (hǎo de) is slightly more polite and softer. Use 好 with friends and in informal settings.
More phrases for this situation
Tomyo
Learn Chinese with spaced repetition
Remember 好 and hundreds of other phrases with smart reviews, audio and examples.