好歹 hǎodǎi good and bad
good and bad; most unfortunate occurrence; in any case; whatever
How to remember 好歹: 好 good + 歹 bare bones = good and bad.
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How it is used
- Most often 'at least / one way or another' - 好歹吃点东西 (hǎodǎi chī diǎn dōngxi) at least eat a little.
- Literally 'good-and-bad', so 不知好歹 (bù zhī hǎodǎi) means not knowing what's good for you, ungrateful.
- Colloquial; signals settling for a minimum acceptable outcome when the ideal isn't possible.