罄 (qìng) — (bound form) used up, exhausted, empty

Definition

罄 is a bound form (b.f.) meaning 'completely used up' or 'exhausted'. It cannot stand alone as a word — you'll only encounter it in fixed literary expressions and idioms, most commonly 罄竹难书 (so many crimes that even all the bamboo slips wouldn't be enough to record them) and 告罄 (to be sold out / exhausted). It carries a formal, often dramatic tone and is not used in everyday conversation.

b.f.

(bound form) used upexhaustedempty

Examples

罄，。
Kùcún yǐjīng gào qìng, xūyào jǐnkuài bǔhuò.
The inventory has been exhausted; we need to restock as soon as possible.
。
Tā de zuìxíng qìng zhú nán shū.
His crimes are too numerous to record.
罄，。
Liángshí gào qìng, bǎixìng shēnghuó shífēn kùnnan.
Grain supplies ran out, and the people's lives became very difficult.

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