Key HSK Vocabulary
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | HSK | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 嗜好 | shì hào | hobby, addiction | HSK 7 | |
| 熬夜 | áo yè | all night, to stay up late | HSK 7 | |
| 自尊 | zì zūn | self-respect, self-esteem | HSK 7 | |
| 脆弱 | cuì ruò | fragile, frail | HSK 7 | |
| 外表 | wài biǎo | exterior, surface | HSK 7 | |
| 可惜 | kě xī | it's a pity, it's too bad | HSK 5 | |
| 受不了 | shòu bù liǎo | unbearable, cannot stand sth. | HSK 4 | |
| 失去 | shī qù | lose | HSK 3 | |
| 好好 | hǎo hǎo | in perfectly good condition, when everything is all right | HSK 3 | |
| 完成 | wán chéng | accomplish, complete | HSK 2 | |
| 快要 | kuài yào | be about to, be going to | HSK 2 | |
| 你好 | nǐ hǎo | hello, hi | HSK 1 | |
| 回到 | huí dào | to return to | HSK 1 | |
| 工作 | gōng zuò | work, operate | HSK 1 | |
| 得到 | dé dào | get, obtain | HSK 1 | |
| 是不是 | shì bu shì | yes or no, is or isn't | HSK 1 | |
| 知道 | zhī dào | know, realize | HSK 1 | |
| 答案 | dá àn | answer, solution | ||
| 在身 | zài shēn | to be occupied or burdened with , to possess | ||
| 要不 | yào bù | otherwise, or else |
That quiet ache in your chest, the one that whispers a single, lingering question about a past connection: "How have you been?" This universal, poignant sentiment finds its perfect voice in "你，好不好？" (How Have You Been?) by the phenomenal Taiwanese singer-songwriter, Eric Chou (周興哲).
Dubbed the "King of the Lovelorn People" for his soulful ballads and heartfelt lyrics that resonate deeply across Asia, Eric Chou crafts emotional landscapes with every note. Known for rising to fame with "The Distance of Love," his music isn't just a melody; it's a mirror to our deepest feelings, making it an incredibly authentic and engaging gateway to learn Chinese through powerful, human expression.
Quick Info
| Song Name | 你，好不好？ (How Have You Been?) |
| Artist | Eric 周興哲 |
| Original Singer | Original |
| Release Year | 2016 |
| Duration | 04:33 |
The Story Behind the Song
"你，好不好？" isn't merely a song; it's the haunting echo of an unasked question, a delicate sigh that permeated Mandarin pop in 2016. It crystallizes that profound, bittersweet ache following a separation, where all that remains is a quiet, almost deferential concern for a past love. Eric Chou's ballad became an instant classic by articulating the unspoken yearning to know if they, too, are navigating life well – a fragile hope wrapped in an inescapable wistfulness.
This isn't just a track about lost love; it's a cultural touchstone reflecting a deeply human, universal sentiment. It speaks to the lingering imprint of affection that refuses to fully fade, solidifying Eric Chou's unique ability to translate raw vulnerability into melodies that resonate with the heart's quietest anxieties. It's the silent conversation we wish we could have, preserved in a poignant whisper.
✨ Lyrical Highlights
你，好不好？
Nǐ, hǎo bù hǎo?
You, how have you been?This iconic title line, a simple question, is imbued with profound longing and a bittersweet ache. It transcends a casual greeting, embodying the song's core theme of a lingering connection and unspoken care for a past love, even after separation. The question holds years of shared history and unresolved emotions.
眼淚知道 我愛你
Yǎnlèi zhīdào wǒ ài nǐ
My tears know I love youThis line beautifully personifies tears as a silent, undeniable witness to deep, enduring love. It suggests that even when words cannot be spoken or heard, the raw physical manifestation of sorrow reveals an inherent truth of love. It powerfully connects to the theme of unspoken affection and the pain of separation, where feelings persist despite distance.
Grammar Notes
我把作业写完了。
Wǒ bǎ zuòyè xiě wán le.
I finished my homework (literally: I took my homework and finished writing it).
你能不能帮我一下？
Nǐ néng bu néng bāng wǒ yīxià?
Could you please help me for a bit?
老师对学生很好。
Lǎoshī duì xuéshēng hěn hǎo.
The teacher is very good to the students.
妈妈让我早点回家。
Māma ràng wǒ zǎodiǎn huíjiā.
Mom let me go home earlier.