大不了 (dà bu liǎo) — (adverb) at worst, if worst comes to worst; (adjective, usu. in negative) serious, a big deal
Definition
Used to downplay a problem ('no big deal') or to frame a worst-case ('at worst'). Unlike 严重 or 不得了的 disaster sense, 大不了 reframes the outcome as small or survivable.
adverb
at worstif worst comes to worst
adjective
(adjective, usu. in negative) seriousa big deal
Examples
- 大不了，。dà bu liǎo Wǒ míng tiān zài pǎo yí tàng, méi guān xi de.At worst, I'll make another trip tomorrow — no big deal.
- 大不了。Zhè diǎn xiǎo cuò wù méi shén me dà bu liǎo de.This little mistake is no big deal.
- 大不了，。dà bu liǎo Bǎ jiù shǒu jī huàn le, fǎn zhèng yě gāi huàn le.At worst, I'll replace the old phone — it's time to change it anyway.
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