Definition
This is a four-character set phrase (成语) meaning 'broken and incomplete' — used to describe something that is physically damaged, fragmentary, or missing parts. It often applies to old books, artifacts, or historical records, but can also describe incomplete plans or systems. Unlike literal English translations, it carries a sense of being thoroughly damaged, not just slightly incomplete.
f.e.
broken and incompletefragmentarypartly missing
Examples
- 残缺不全，。Zhè běn gǔ shū yǐjing cán quē bú le, hěn duō yè dōu kàn bu qīngchu.This ancient book is already fragmentary; many pages are illegible.
- 残缺不全，。Nàxiē chūtǔ de wénwù dàduō cán quē bú, xūyào mànmàn xiūfù.Most of those unearthed artifacts are broken and incomplete, requiring gradual restoration.
- 残缺不全，。Yīnwèi jìlù cán quē bú, wǒmen hěn nán liǎojiě dāngshí de qíngkuàng.Because the records are fragmentary, it's hard for us to understand the situation at that time.
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