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大大咧咧 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
大大咧咧dàdaliēliēcarefreeHSK 7, unknown, 24 strokes, rank #44368, Very Hard
大大咧咧dàdaliēliēoffhandHSK 7, unknown, 24 strokes, rank #44368, Very Hard
大大咧咧dàdaliēliēcasualHSK 7, unknown, 24 strokes, rank #44368, Very Hard
dàdaliēliē(da4da5lie1lie1)da da lie lie T4
  1. 1carefree
  2. 2offhand
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March 24, 2026

大大咧咧dàdaliēliē(da4da5lie1lie1)

The idiom 大大咧咧 (dà dà liē liē) describes a carefree, casual manner, often implying a lack of attention to detail or formality. It can be used to characterize someone who is relaxed and easygoing, sometimes to the point of being careless in social situations or responsibilities.

Strokes24Frequency#44368DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, being 大大咧咧 can reflect a positive trait, suggesting that a person values relationships over strict etiquette. This relaxed attitude is often appreciated in social gatherings, where humor and casualness can enhance the atmosphere.

Memory tip

Imagine a large (大) person (大) leisurely lounging (咧) around without a care in the world, laughing and making casual remarks. The repetition of '大' emphasizes their oversized, carefree attitude, while '咧咧' sounds like laughter, creating a vivid image of a laid-back character.

Meanings of 大大咧咧

dàdaliēliē(da4da5lie1lie1)
1carefree
2offhand
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About 大大咧咧

大大咧咧Simplified
24Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

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AI study notes for 大大咧咧

Quick Contrast

马虎 (mǎhu, careless) — use 大大咧咧 when emphasizing a carefree attitude rather than just carelessness.

Usage Notes

This idiom is typically used in informal contexts to describe people or their behavior. Be cautious not to use it in formal situations or to describe someone in a serious context, as it may come off as dismissive. Common collocations include '人' (person) and '性格' (character).

HSK Study Tips

While 大大咧咧 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, understanding its components can help with character recognition. Focus on how 大 (big) and 咧 (to smile or laugh) contribute to the overall meaning of being carefree, which is a common theme in casual conversation.

Common Mistakes

Learners might confuse 大大咧咧 with similar phrases like 随便 (suí biàn), which also means 'casual' but lacks the carefree nuance. Ensure you use 大大咧咧 specifically for describing a relaxed demeanor, not just any casual behavior.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 大大咧咧

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Component characters

大dàbig
HSK 13 strokes大
View full entry
大dàbig
HSK 13 strokes大
View full entry
咧liēto grimace, to grin
9 strokes口
View full entry
咧liēto grimace, to grin
9 strokes口
View full entry

How to say carefree in Chinese

“carefree” in Chinese is大大咧咧dàdaliēliē

The idiom 大大咧咧 (dà dà liē liē) describes a carefree, casual manner, often implying a lack of attention to detail or formality. It can be used to characterize someone who is relaxed and easygoing, sometimes to the point of being careless in social situations or responsibilities.

When to use 大大咧咧

This idiom is typically used in informal contexts to describe people or their behavior. Be cautious not to use it in formal situations or to describe someone in a serious context, as it may come off as dismissive. Common collocations include '人' (person) and '性格' (character).

大大咧咧 or something close to it

马虎 (mǎhu, careless) — use 大大咧咧 when emphasizing a carefree attitude rather than just carelessness.

What learners get wrong

Learners might confuse 大大咧咧 with similar phrases like 随便 (suí biàn), which also means 'casual' but lacks the carefree nuance. Ensure you use 大大咧咧 specifically for describing a relaxed demeanor, not just any casual behavior.

Write 大大咧咧

大
大
咧
咧

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Frequently asked questions about 大大咧咧

While it can imply carelessness, using 大大咧咧 may not be appropriate for formal criticism; it's better used in light-hearted contexts.

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