最好 (had best / it's best to)
"Best you…" — strong advice
- best最好 = "had best / it would be best to" — a clear recommendation.
- you你best最好breakfast早点to sleep睡 = "you'd best sleep early."
- Stronger and more direct than or / still还是…(suggestion)吧.
Subj + best最好 + Predicate
- best最好 gives firm, friendly advice.
you你had best最好earlier早点sleep睡。
- you你best最好breakfast早点to sleep睡 = "you'd best go to sleep early."
Practice
You'd best sleep early: 你 ____ 早点睡。
最好 + Predicate = had best: 你最好早点睡.
Practice
Build: “You'd best sleep early.”
Subj + 最好 + Predicate: 你 + 最好 + 早点睡.
Often warns of a downside
- The unspoken "…or else" makes best最好 stronger than a casual suggestion.
Explore
Correct or broken?
最好 fronts the best course of action: it's best to …
Practice
最好 gives advice that is…
最好 = strong friendly advice, stronger than 还是…吧.
Recap
Key idea
- best最好 + Predicate — "had best / it would be best to …"
- you你best最好breakfast早点to sleep睡
- Firmer advice than or / still还是…(suggestion)吧 (often implies "…or else")
Read the full reference: HSK 4 grammar — Adverbs.