HSK 4 · VERSION 2.0#90
Expressing Not Knowing How to Do Something Using “hǎo”
好
How it works
In this pattern, 好 (hǎo) appears in expressions like:
不知道怎么办好 (bù zhīdào zěnme bàn hǎo)
不知道说什么好 (bù zhīdào shuō shénme hǎo)
It is used when someone does not know the best way to respond, act, or speak.
Example sentences
听到这个消息，我高兴得不知道说什么好。
After hearing this news, I was so happy that I did not know what to say.
事情太突然了，我一时不知道怎么办好。
The matter was too sudden, and for a moment I did not know what to do.
他问得太直接，我不知道怎么回答好。
He asked too directly, and I did not know how to answer.
Key point
This is a fixed expression pattern and is very useful in natural speech.