大
不
了

About

The word "大不了" is formed from the characters 大 (big), 不 (not), and 了 (to finish or settle), where the literal combination "not big enough to settle" evolved into an idiomatic expression meaning "at worst" or "no big deal", reflecting a conceptualization where a situation is not so significant that it cannot be resolved.

Example Sentences Hide

大不了我们走路去。

Dàbuliǎo wǒmen zǒu lù qù.

At worst, we can walk there.

大不了明天再做。

Dàbuliǎo míngtiān zài zuò.

At worst, we can do it tomorrow.

大不了我帮你解决这个问题。

Dàbuliǎo wǒ bāng nǐ jiějué zhège wèntí.

At worst, I'll help you solve this problem.

如果下雨，大不了我们取消计划。

Rúguǒ xià yǔ, dàbuliǎo wǒmen qǔxiāo jìhuà.

If it rains, at worst we can cancel the plan.

即使失败了，大不了从头再来一次。

Jíshǐ shībài le, dàbuliǎo cóngtóu zài lái yī cì.

Even if we fail, at worst we can start over again.

Word Definition - 大不了

dà bu liǎo at worst; if worst comes to worst; (usu. in the negative) serious; alarming

Individual Character Details

大 dà, dài
不 bù
了 le, liǎo, liǎo, liào