Definition
好容易 (hǎo róng yì) has two opposite meanings: literally 'very easy', but idiomatically (often followed by 才) it means 'with great difficulty, barely'. This is the opposite of 容易 (róng yì), which simply means 'easy'. Unlike straightforward 'easy' idioms like 轻而易举 or 小菜一碟, 好容易 requires context to know which meaning is intended.
adjective
(idiomatic) with great difficultyit takes a lot of effort (often followed by 才)(literal) very easyso easy
Examples
- 好容易。Wǒ hǎo róng yì cái zhǎo dào zhè jiā cāntīng.I had a hard time finding this restaurant.
- 好容易，。Zhè dào tí hǎo róng yì, yí kàn jiù huì zuò.This question is very easy; you'll know how to do it at a glance.
- 好容易。Tā hǎo róng yì cái wánchéng nà ge xiàngmù.He completed that project with great difficulty.
Grammar
Browse more HSK 6 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.