小到…，大到…
from things as small as … to things as big as …; everything from … to …
Structure
小到 最小的例子 ， 大到 最大的例子 ， （都／什么都） 结论
What it means
Everything from … to …: names the smallest and largest examples so that everything in between is understood.
How it is built
小到 + smallest + 大到 + largest + 都／什么都 + statement: 这家便利店小到一包纸巾，大到一箱矿泉水，都能送货上门 (this shop delivers anything from tissues to a case of water).
When to use it
Journalism, adverts, lively speech. Works for importance too: 小到柴米油盐，大到国家大事. 大到…，小到… is also correct and puts the weight on the big end.
Watch out
It needs a statement covering the range: ✗ 这家超市小到一根针，大到一台冰箱。 ✓ …大到一台冰箱，什么都卖。 The two examples must be the two ends of one scale.
Examples
小到一根针、一颗纽扣，大到灯具、家电，一个上午就能把一个集装箱的货配齐。
From a needle or a button to lamps and appliances, in one morning you can put together a whole container’s worth of goods.
这家便利店小到一包纸巾，大到一箱矿泉水，都能送货上门。
This corner shop will deliver anything from a packet of tissues to a case of mineral water.
小到家里的灯泡坏了，大到孩子上哪所学校，他都要找哥哥商量。
From a broken light bulb at home to which school the children should go to, he talks everything over with his elder brother.
Learn this in Lesson 184 · HSK 7–9: 义乌 (Yiwu, the world’s supermarket)
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.
Open the lesson →