hǎodǎi

好歹

HSK 7-9Word · Noun · Adverb

good and bad; risk; just barely; at any rate

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

4 senses · 10 examples
1.

noun

good and bad; right and wrong

Refers to the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad qualities.

Zhè这
rén人
zhēn真
bù不
zhī知
hǎo好
dǎi歹
 。

This person truly doesn't know what's good for them.

Tā他
lián连
hǎo好
dǎi歹
dōu都
fēn分
bù不
qīng清
 。

He can't even distinguish between right and wrong.

2.

noun

danger; life-threatening situation

informal

Often refers to a critical situation, especially involving one's life.

Wàn万
yī一
tā她
yǒu有
gè个
hǎo好
dǎi歹
 ,
zhè这
kě可
zěn怎
me么
bàn办
 ?

What should we do if something terrible happens to her?

Hái孩
zi子
yī一
gè个
rén人
zài在
wài外
miàn面
 ,
pà怕
tā他
chū出
gè个
hǎo好
dǎi歹
 。

I'm worried something might happen to the child being outside alone.

3.

adverb

just barely; make do; regardless of quality

informal

Used when doing something with whatever is available, without expecting good conditions.

Shí时
jiān间
tài太
jǐn紧
le了
 ,
hǎo好
dǎi歹
chī吃
diǎn点
er儿
jiù就
xíng行
le了
 !

Time is too tight, just eat something to get by!

Lǚ旅
guǎn馆
kè客
mǎn满
le了
 ,
wǒ我
men们
hǎo好
dǎi歹
zhǎo找
le了
gè个
dì地
fang方
guò过
yè夜
 。

The hotel was full, so we just managed to find a place to spend the night.

Show 1 more example
Zhè这
jiàn件
yī衣
fu服
jiù旧
le了
 ,
hǎo好
dǎi歹
hái还
néng能
chuān穿
 。

This piece of clothing is old, but it will do for now.

4.

adverb

anyway; at any rate; in any case

informal

Used to emphasize that something should happen or be considered regardless of circumstances.

Tā她
yào要
shì是
zài在
zhè这
lǐ里
 ,
hǎo好
dǎi歹
yě也
néng能
ná拿
gè个
zhǔ主
yì意
 。

If she were here, at least she could make a decision.

Nǐ你
hǎo好
dǎi歹
shì试
yī一
xià下
 ,
shuō说
bù不
dìng定
néng能
chéng成
gōng功
 。

You should at least give it a try; you might succeed.

Show 1 more example
Hǎo好
dǎi歹
wǒ我
men们
yě也
shì是
péng朋
you友
 ,
bāng帮
gè个
máng忙
ba吧
 。

We are friends after all, so please help out.