Hi @YuQinCai, @Constance_Fang @Fiona and the ChinesePod team, my question is this:
Hi guys, I keep seeing 好 used for emphasis when I’m expecting 很. For example, this in the most recent Elementary lesson, expansion section:
我好累，累得快死了。
“I’m so tired. I’m so tired I could die.”
Are you able to give some clarity on when to use 好 for emphasis please, for example, can it be used interchangably with 很, or is it more complicated than that? thanks!
Justin
I believe that if you want emphasis you should say 我好累, because Chinese tries to avoid one-syllable adjectives. When you say 我很累 the 很 just seems to be there to add a syllable and not truly for emphasis.
I too would like to hear from more expert people, though.
Yes. 好 is more emotional while 很 is just objective.
When I come home, feel tired and I want to seek some warm company from my family.
I’d say 我好累，今天好忙。
（wo3 hao3 lei4, jin1tian1 hao3 mang2）
If I come home, feel tired and just want to be left alone.
I’d say 我很累，脚很痠，别吵我。
（wo3 hen3 lei4, jiao3 hen3 suan1, bie2 chao3 wo3）
Yeah, the 很 doesn’t translate always translate as very, but rather is necessary for correct grammar . Check out this weeks lesson for more examples 
Thanks guys, that all seems to make sense… for now!