化整为零

化整為零

huàzhěngwéilíng

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

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.

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.

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.

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 wèi

零 líng