不至于
would not go so far as to; is not so bad that
Structure
主语 （还）不至于 更严重的情况 （吧）
What it means
Judges that things have not reached, or will not reach, a worse degree: “won’t go so far as to…, isn’t so bad that…”.
How it is built
Subject + (还) + 不至于 + the more serious outcome (+ 吧): 只是有点儿咳嗽，还不至于去医院 (it’s only a cough, not bad enough for hospital).
When to use it
还…吧 softens it: 我还不至于上这种当吧？ In speech, 至于吗？ or 至于这样吗？ means “is that really necessary? you’re overdoing it”.
Watch out
It judges degree, not plain fact: ✗ 他今天不至于来。 ✓ 他今天不来。 Don’t confuse it with 以至于 “so much so that” (lesson 3-10) or 至于 “as for” (lesson 1-5).
Examples
我又不傻，不至于上这种当吧？
I’m no fool. Surely I wouldn’t fall for that?
只是有点儿咳嗽，还不至于去医院。
It is only a bit of a cough, not bad enough to need the hospital.
他生气归生气，还不至于不理你。
He may be cross, but he won’t go so far as to stop speaking to you.
Learn this in Lesson 68 · HSK 6: 反诈 (Phone and online scams)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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