Chinese word

好歹

Pronunciation

Pinyinhǎo dǎi

Meaning

  • adverbat least

Example

你好歹也要告诉我。nǐ háo dǎi yě yào gào sù wǒ

You should at least tell me.

Illustration for 好歹 (at least)

More examples

遇到问题时，好歹先自己试一试再求助别人。yù dào wèn tí shí háo dǎi xiān zì jǐ shì yí shì zài qiú zhù bié rén

When you encounter a problem, at least try it yourself before asking others for help.

Core concept

Marks one basic thing that still needs to happen, even when the situation is uncertain or imperfect.

Common phrases

  • 好歹告诉我háo dǎi gào sù wǒ

    at least tell me

  • 好歹给我一个解释háo dǎi gěi wǒ yí gè jiě shì

    at least give me an explanation

  • 好歹试一试háo dǎi shì yí shì

    at least give it a try

Similar words

起码qí mǎ: Shows that a basic need or condition is the least acceptable level.
至少zhì shǎo: Indicates that an amount or degree will not fall below a stated level.
无论如何wú lùn rú hé: Stresses that an action will be taken no matter what happens.

Definition in Chinese

作副词使用，放在动词前，表示说话人对结果的最低期望或强烈要求，相当于“至少”或“无论如何也要”，多见于口语。zuò fù cí shǐ yòng fàng zài dòng cí qián biǎo shì shuō huà rén duì jié guǒ de zuì dī qī wàng huò qiáng liè yāo qiú xiāng dāng yú zhì shǎo huò wú lùn rú hé yě yào duō jiàn yú kóu yǔ

Word origin

好歹 (hǎodǎi, "good or bad") comes from setting good and bad side by side, a contrast that develops into accepting either condition while insisting on a basic outcome.

Usage tips

  • The word is common in speech but can sound blunt with strangers or in formal settings because it presents the speaker's expectation as hard to avoid.

Other meanings

  • somehowadverb
  • in any caseadverb

Word lists with this word