大不了 dàbuliǎo at worst
at worst; if worst comes to worst; (usually in the negative) serious; alarming
How to remember 大不了: 大 big + 不 not + 了 particle: completed action / change of state = at worst.
Characters
How it is used
- At worst / no big deal - 大不了重来一次 (dàbuliǎo chónglái yí cì) worst case, just redo it; 这有什么大不了的 (zhè yǒu shénme dàbuliǎo de) what's the big deal?
- Two uses: 'at the very worst…' downplaying a risk, and (negated) 'nothing serious'. Colloquial.
Example sentences
- 这没什么大不了的。 Zhè méishénme dàbùliǎo de.It's no big deal.
- 那没什么大不了的。 Nà méishénme dàbùliǎo de.That's no big deal.