noun HSK 4
hǎo
good intention · kindness · goodwill

Meaning

好意 refers to someone's good intentions, kind feelings, or benevolent motives behind an action. It emphasizes the positive spirit or heart with which something is done, even if the outcome isn't perfect. The word is commonly used when acknowledging someone's kindness or when explaining that something was done with good intentions.

Usage

Native speakers frequently use 好意 when politely declining help or gifts, often in phrases like 心领了 or 谢谢你的好意. It can also appear in contexts where someone's good intentions are misunderstood or unappreciated. The word carries a warm, appreciative tone and is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts.

Examples

  1. 01
    谢谢你的好意,但我自己能处理。
    Xiè xiè de hǎo , dàn néng chǔ .
    Thank you for your kind intentions, but I can handle it myself.
  2. 02
    他是出于好意才这样说的,你别误会。
    shì chū hǎo cái zhè yàng shuō de, bié huì.
    He said that out of good intentions, don't misunderstand.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 出于好意
    chū hǎo
    out of good intentions
  • 一片好意
    piàn hǎo
    pure good intentions
  • 谢谢你的好意
    xiè xiè de hǎo
    thank you for your kind intentions
  • 辜负好意
    hǎo
    to fail to live up to someone's kindness

Antonyms

Origin

The compound combines 好 (good) with 意 (intention/meaning), literally forming 'good intention.' This straightforward composition has been used in Chinese for centuries to express benevolent motives.

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