好乖
hǎo guāi
Good boy or good girl
好乖 (hǎo guāi) is a warm and affectionate phrase used to praise a child for being well-behaved or obedient. It means "good boy" or "good girl" and is considered a high compliment for a toddler's demeanor.
What does 好乖 (hǎo guāi) mean?
好乖 (hǎo guāi) means “good boy or good girl” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “very well-behaved.”
When to use it
Warm and affectionate. This phrase is almost exclusively used for children, especially young ones, to commend their obedience or pleasant behavior. It is not typically used for adults.
How to pronounce it
Sounds like "how GWAI." The first syllable has a falling-rising tone, and the second is a high-level tone.
Other ways to say it
- 乖孩子guāi háiziwell-behaved child
- 真乖zhēn guāitruly well-behaved
- 听话tīnghuàobedient
Examples
宝宝好乖，自己玩玩具。
bǎobǎo hǎo guāi, zìjǐ wán wánjù.
The baby is so good, playing with toys by himself.
你好乖，快过来让奶奶抱抱。
nǐ hǎo guāi, kuài guòlái ràng nǎinai bàobao.
You're such a good boy/girl, come quickly and let Grandma hug you.
老师夸他好乖，上课很认真。
lǎoshī kuā tā hǎo guāi, shàngkè hěn rènzhēn.
The teacher praised him for being so good; he was very attentive in class.
Pro tip: 好乖 is a specific compliment for a child's behavior, implying obedience and pleasantness. It's not a general "good job" for adults.
Related phrases
真棒！ · Great job长大了 · You've grown so big再试一次 · Try again
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