完整

wánzhěng: 完整 - Complete, Intact, Whole

Quick Summary

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  • Summary: Learn the meaning and use of the Chinese word 完整 (wánzhěng), an essential HSK 4 adjective for describing something as “complete,” “intact,” or “whole.” This guide breaks down its characters, cultural significance, and practical usage with 10 example sentences, helping you understand how to describe objects, data, and even concepts as being in a state of perfect, unbroken wholeness. Discover the key difference between `完整` (intact) and `全部` (all).

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): wánzhěng
  • Part of Speech: Adjective
  • HSK Level: HSK 4
  • Concise Definition: Describes something as being complete, with all its parts present and undamaged.
  • In a Nutshell: Think of `完整` as describing the “integrity” of a single thing. It’s not about having all the items in a group, but about one item being whole and unbroken. A vase that survived a fall without a single crack is `完整`. A story that includes every single detail from beginning to end is `完整`. The core feeling is one of wholeness, structural soundness, and lack of missing pieces.

Character Breakdown

  • 完 (wán): This character means “to finish,” “to complete,” or “whole.” It's composed of `宀` (a roof) over `元` (original, primary). Pictorially, it suggests a complete, original structure contained under one roof, signifying wholeness.
  • 整 (zhěng): This character means “orderly,” “neat,” or “whole.” It's a combination of characters implying the action (`攵`) of putting things (`束` - bundle) into their proper, correct (`正`) order. It carries the sense of organized totality.
  • Together, 完整 (wánzhěng) combines the idea of being “finished and whole” (完) with being “orderly and entire” (整). This creates a powerful adjective that emphasizes both completeness and the lack of any damage or disorder.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • In Chinese culture, there's a deep-seated appreciation for wholeness and integrity. `完整` captures this value perfectly. The concept extends beyond physical objects to social and philosophical ideals.
  • For example, a 完整家庭 (wánzhěng jiātíng), or a “complete family” (typically with both parents and children living together), is a strong traditional ideal. The word implies a sense of stability, harmony, and structural soundness that is culturally valued.
  • Comparison to Western Culture: In English, we might say a report is “complete.” This usually just means it's finished. In Chinese, saying a report is 完整 (wánzhěng) implies more: not only is it finished, but it is also thorough, with no data missing, no sections omitted, and no logical gaps. It speaks to the integrity of the report itself. While an English speaker might use “comprehensive,” `完整` is a more common, everyday term in Chinese to convey this idea.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • `完整` is a versatile adjective used in both formal and informal contexts.
  • Describing Physical Objects: Used to confirm that an item is undamaged, especially after shipping, an accident, or the passage of time.
    • “The ancient vase was unearthed completely intact.”
  • Describing Information/Data: Used to describe reports, stories, datasets, or explanations as being thorough and without omissions.
    • “Please give me a complete report, not just a summary.”
  • Describing Abstract Concepts: Used for systems, plans, or even personal qualities. A 完整的计划 (wánzhěng de jìhuà) is a comprehensive plan. A 人格完整 (réngé wánzhěng) describes a person with a well-rounded, sound character.

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 这份报告不完整，缺少了最后一页的数据。
    • Pinyin: Zhè fèn bàogào bù wánzhěng, quēshǎole zuìhòu yī yè de shùjù.
    • English: This report is not complete; it's missing the data from the last page.
    • Analysis: Here, `完整` refers to the integrity of information. The report is physically present, but it's not whole because a part is missing.
  • Example 2:
    • 经过地震，我们家大部分的盘子都碎了，只有一个是完整的。
    • Pinyin: Jīngguò dìzhèn, wǒmen jiā dàbùfèn de pánzi dōu suìle, zhǐyǒu yīgè shì wánzhěng de.
    • English: After the earthquake, most of our plates were broken, only one is intact.
    • Analysis: This is a classic example of `完整` describing an object as undamaged and whole.
  • Example 3:
    • 老师要求我们背诵一首完整的唐诗。
    • Pinyin: Lǎoshī yāoqiú wǒmen bèisòng yī shǒu wánzhěng de Tángshī.
    • English: The teacher asked us to recite a complete Tang poem.
    • Analysis: This means reciting the poem from beginning to end without leaving any lines out. It's about the completeness of the text.
  • Example 4:
    • 这是一个完整的生态系统，任何微小的改变都可能带来灾难。
    • Pinyin: Zhè shì yīgè wánzhěng de shēngtài xìtǒng, rènhé wēixiǎo de gǎibiàn dōu kěnéng dài lái zāinàn.
    • English: This is a complete ecosystem; any tiny change could bring about disaster.
    • Analysis: Used here to describe a complex, abstract system. `完整` implies that all necessary components are present and functioning together correctly.
  • Example 5:
    • 你能给我讲一个完整的故事吗？别跳过任何细节。
    • Pinyin: Nǐ néng gěi wǒ jiǎng yīgè wánzhěng de gùshì ma? Bié tiàoguò rènhé xìjié.
    • English: Can you tell me the whole story? Don't skip any details.
    • Analysis: Emphasizes the desire for a thorough, unabridged narrative.
  • Example 6:
    • 为了保护历史建筑的完整性，修复工作必须非常小心。
    • Pinyin: Wèile bǎohù lìshǐ jiànzhù de wánzhěng xìng, xiūfù gōngzuò bìxū fēicháng xiǎoxīn.
    • English: To protect the integrity of the historic building, the restoration work must be very careful.
    • Analysis: The suffix `性 (-xìng)` turns the adjective into a noun: `完整性 (wánzhěngxìng)` meaning “integrity” or “completeness.”
  • Example 7:
    • 他的人格是完整的，诚实又可靠。
    • Pinyin: Tā de réngé shì wánzhěng de, chéngshí yòu kěkào.
    • English: His character is sound/whole; he is honest and reliable.
    • Analysis: `完整` can be used to describe a person's character, implying they are well-adjusted and have strong moral integrity.
  • Example 8:
    • 这套书总共有十二本，我终于收集了完整的一套。
    • Pinyin: Zhè tào shū zǒnggòng yǒu shí'èr běn, wǒ zhōngyú shōujíle wánzhěng de yī tào.
    • English: This book series has twelve volumes in total, and I finally collected a complete set.
    • Analysis: Highlights that the set as a single entity is now whole, with all its required parts.
  • Example 9:
    • 我们的公司可以为您提供一套完整的解决方案。
    • Pinyin: Wǒmen de gōngsī kěyǐ wèi nín tígōng yī tào wánzhěng de jiějué fāng'àn.
    • English: Our company can provide you with a complete solution package.
    • Analysis: A common term in business, meaning a comprehensive, all-in-one solution that covers all aspects of a problem.
  • Example 10:
    • 只有掌握了完整的信息，我们才能做出正确的决定。
    • Pinyin: Zhǐyǒu zhǎngwòle wánzhěng de xìnxī, wǒmen cáinéng zuòchū zhèngquè de juédìng.
    • English: Only when we have complete information can we make the right decision.
    • Analysis: This underscores the importance of having all the facts, without gaps or missing pieces, for decision-making.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • `完整 (wánzhěng)` vs. `全部 (quánbù)`: This is the most common point of confusion for learners.
    • `完整` (wánzhěng) describes the state of one single thing being whole or intact.
    • `全部` (quánbù) refers to the total quantity of multiple things. It means “all.”
    • Example: Imagine you have three vases. One is broken.
      • Correct: 这两个花瓶是完整的。 (These two vases are intact.)
      • Correct: 全部的花瓶都在桌子上。（All of the vases are on the table.)
      • Incorrect: 这个花瓶是全部的。 (This sentence is grammatically awkward and wrong.)
  • Adjective, Not a Verb: `完整` is an adjective describing a state. It is not the verb “to complete.” For the action of completing something, you must use `完成 (wánchéng)`.
    • Correct: 我完成了我的作业。 (wǒ wánchéngle wǒ de zuòyè.) - I completed my homework.
    • Incorrect: 我完整了我的作业。

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 完成 (wánchéng) - A verb meaning “to complete” or “to finish” an action or task.
  • 完全 (wánquán) - An adverb meaning “completely” or “entirely.” It modifies a verb or adjective (e.g., `完全正确` - completely correct).
  • 全部 (quánbù) - A noun or adverb meaning “all” or “the whole lot.” It refers to the total number of items in a group.
  • 齐全 (qíquán) - An adjective meaning “complete” in the sense of a set having all the necessary varieties (e.g., `工具齐全` - a complete set of tools). It focuses on variety rather than structural integrity.
  • 整体 (zhěngtǐ) - A noun meaning “the whole,” “the entirety.” It refers to a whole entity as opposed to its individual parts.
  • 完美 (wánměi) - An adjective meaning “perfect.” Something that is perfect is almost always also `完整`.
  • 残缺 (cánquē) - A direct antonym. An adjective meaning “incomplete,” “fragmented,” or “damaged with missing parts.”