The collocations 才是, 才好 and 才行
These collocations emphasize that you can act only in a certain way. These collocations also indicate that it is the only correct way to act.
How to use the collocations
The collocations
…才是
…才好
…才行
are placed at the end of a sentence. They set the tone of a sentence, and it is often not translated into English.
Let’s look at each individually.
…才好
…才行
are placed at the end of a sentence. They set the tone of a sentence, and it is often not translated into English.
Let’s look at each individually.…才是
…才是 emphasizes that an action has to be done in a certain way.
emphasizes that an action has to be done in a certain way.Scheme
action
才是
Examples
你是哥哥，让着妹妹才是
You are the older brother! You have to give up your seat for your sister
nǐ shì gēge, ràngzhe mèimei cái shì
按天气预报，现在该下雪才是
According to the weather forcast, it should be snowing
àn tiānqì yùbào, xiànzài gāi xià xuě cái shì
…才好
…才好 emphasizes that it is the only right and good way.
This collocation is often used in sentences like "how to do it better", "how to do it right".
emphasizes that it is the only right and good way.
This collocation is often used in sentences like "how to do it better", "how to do it right".Scheme
action
才好
Examples
我就是弄不清做什么才好
I just can’t understand what to do to make it right
wǒ jiùshì nòng bù qīng zuò shénme cái hǎo
这评论让我不知说什么才好
This comment made me wonder how to answer questions better
zhè pínglùn ràng wǒ bù zhī shuō shénme cái hǎo
…才行
…才行 emphasizes that something is only possible in a certain situation.
emphasizes that something is only possible in a certain situation.Scheme
action
才行
Examples
他们也要连我一起打才行
They’ll have to fight me
tāmen yě yào lián wǒ yìqǐ dǎ cái xíng
我必须有自己的电视才行
When I get my own TV, everything will be okay
wǒ bìxū yǒu zìjǐ de diànshì cái xíng