大到…，小到…
from things as big as … to things as small as …; everything, large and small
Structure
大到 大的事物 ， 小到 小的事物 ， （都／样样／什么都）…
What it means
From things as big as … to things as small as …: two examples from opposite ends stand for everything in between, large and small.
How it is built
大到 + big item，小到 + small item of the same kind，+ summing-up with 都／样样／什么都: 大到冰箱，小到一根针，什么都卖 (it sells everything from fridges down to a needle).
When to use it
Lively in speech, common in features and speeches. The written form is 大至…，小至…. For people of every rank or age say 上到…，下到…: 上到八十岁的老人，下到几岁的孩子.
Watch out
Add the summing-up (都, 样样, 什么都, 无不), or the sentence sounds unfinished. Put the big item first. It means the whole range, so don’t use it for just two things.
Examples
大到拆墙改水电，小到一颗螺丝，样样都要操心。
Everything needs seeing to, from knocking down walls and rerouting the wiring to a single screw.
大到买房买车，小到孩子穿什么衣服，家里的事都是她说了算。
From buying a flat or a car down to what the children wear, she has the last word on everything at home.
这家超市大到冰箱、洗衣机，小到一根针，什么都卖。
This supermarket sells everything from fridges and washing machines down to a needle.
Learn this in Lesson 128 · HSK 7–9: 装修一套房 (Doing up a flat)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. This lesson is free.
Open the lesson →