化整为零

化整為零

huàzhěng-wéilíng

idiom #56,813

Meanings

1 to break a whole into pieces
2 to handle a large task by dividing it into smaller parts

Characters

whole; complete

to become; into

small pieces; fragment

Examples

HSK 3

复习的时候化整为零，效果更好。

Fùxí de shíhou huàzhěngwéilíng, xiàoguǒ gèng hǎo.

When reviewing, break it into chunks - the results are better.

HSK 4

项目太大，我们得化整为零，分阶段完成。

Xiàngmù tài dà, wǒmen děi huàzhěngwéilíng, fēn jiēduàn wánchéng.

The project is too big - we'll have to break it into pieces and complete it in phases.

HSK 7-9

他们化整为零，分别进入会场。

Tāmen huàzhěngwéilíng, fēnbié jìnrù huìchǎng.

They split up into smaller groups and entered the venue separately.

Tips

usage

Neutral or positive - a tactical approach to a large problem. Common in project management, guerrilla tactics, and study methods. Opposite: 化零为整 (consolidate pieces into a whole).

memory

Mechanical and transparent: 化 (transform) + 整 (whole) + 为 (into) + 零 (pieces / zero / fractional). If you can remember 'transform whole into pieces' you have the idiom.

Stroke Order

化 huà

整 zhěng

为 wéi

零 líng