不至于

• Pinyin: bù zhì yú
• Hanzi breakdown: 不 = negation; 至 = to arrive; 于 = at/to

Meaning

Not to the extent of; wouldn't go so far as to. Indicates something is unlikely to reach an extreme.

Used to downplay the severity of a situation or express that something won't be as bad as feared. Often used to reassure or to express skepticism that things would reach a certain extreme. Can also be used rhetorically to question whether something is really that serious.

Examples

1. 虽然这次考试难度大，但不至于一个人都考不过吧。 Although this exam was difficult, surely it's not to the extent that no one could pass.
2. 他脾气是不太好，但不至于对朋友动手。 His temper may not be great, but he wouldn't go so far as to hit a friend.
3. 事情还不至于糟糕到无法挽回的地步。 Things haven't reached the point of being irreparable.

Usage Guide

Context: reassurance, skepticism, evaluation

Tone: moderating

Do Say

• 放心吧，不至于出什么大问题。(Don't worry, it won't be a big problem.)
• 他再生气也不至于辞职吧？(No matter how angry he is, he wouldn't go so far as to resign, would he?)

Don't Say

• 不要用'不至于'来描述已经发生的极端情况 (Don't use 不至于 for extreme situations that have already occurred — it's for hypothetical or anticipated scenarios)

Origin & History

Compound of 不 (not) + 至于 (to the extent of). Negates the idea of reaching a particular extreme.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal