甚好 (shèn hǎo) is a formal, literary expression meaning 'very good' or 'excellent'. The character 甚 (shèn) originally means 'extreme' or 'very', and 好 (hǎo) means 'good'; together, they form an intensified, elegant equivalent of 很好 (hěn hǎo), but with higher register. It is rarely used in casual speech or modern spoken Chinese — you’ll most often encounter it in classical texts, formal letters, official documents, historical dramas, or poetic contexts.

This phrase carries a refined, slightly archaic tone and conveys sincere approval or satisfaction with understated elegance. It’s commonly used by older generations, in ceremonial settings, or when adopting a cultivated, scholarly voice. Unlike colloquial alternatives, 甚好 avoids exaggeration while still expressing strong positivity — making it especially suitable for respectful agreement or dignified affirmation.