Definition
老大不小 is a fixed expression used to describe someone who is no longer young — literally 'old and not small' — often carrying a tone of gentle reproach or concern that the person should be more mature or responsible given their age. It's typically used in the pattern 老大不小了 to comment on someone's behavior or life stage (e.g., still unmarried, acting childish). It's not a verb meaning 'grow up' but rather a descriptive phrase.
f.e.
(set phrase) no longer younggetting on in years (often with a sense that one should act more mature)
Examples
- 老大不小，？Nǐ dōu lǎo dà le, zěnme hái xiàng ge háizi yíyàng?You're no longer young — why are you still acting like a child?
- 老大不小，。lǎo dà de rén le, gāi kǎolǜ chéngjiā le.You're not getting any younger; you should think about settling down.
- 老大不小，。Tā lǎo dà de, hái zhěngtiān wán yóuxì.He's no longer young, yet he plays games all day.
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