最好 zuì hǎo
“best; (you) had better (do what we suggest)”
adverbHSK 4 · 2021 list level 1
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
最好 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 996: 最好 zuìhǎo — Level 3; official annotation 3 (副). PDF page 104
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 最好
最好 can be an adjective meaning “best,” as in 最好的朋友, but its common HSK use is as an adverb giving a strong but friendly suggestion, “had better” or “it would be best to.” As an adverb it usually comes before the verb phrase, often after the subject, and is common with 别 or 不要 for negative advice. Typical pattern: (subject) + 最好 + verb phrase.
例句Example sentences
- 你最好早点睡觉，明天还要上课。nǐ zuì hǎo zǎo diǎn shuì jiào, míng tiān hái yào shàng kè.You’d better go to bed early; you have class tomorrow.
- 下雨了，我们最好带伞。xià yǔ le, wǒ men zuì hǎo dài sǎn.It’s raining, so we’d better take an umbrella.
- 这件事最好别告诉他。zhè jiàn shì zuì hǎo bié gào su tā.It’s best not to tell him about this.
常见错误Common mistakes
-
✗我最好中国菜。
✓我最喜欢中国菜。
最好 is not a verb meaning “like best”; to say you like something best, use 最喜欢. As an adjective, 最好 means “best,” as in 最好的朋友.