yīqiè: 一切 - Everything, All

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• Summary: Learn the meaning and usage of 一切 (yīqiè), the essential Chinese word for “everything” or “all.” This guide breaks down its characters, cultural nuances, and practical use in daily conversation. Discover how yīqiè differs from similar words like 所有 (suǒyǒu) and 都 (dōu) with over 10 clear example sentences, making it a comprehensive resource for mastering this HSK 4 term.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): yīqiè
• Part of Speech: Pronoun, Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: Everything; all; every single thing.
• In a Nutshell: 一切 (yīqiè) is a powerful, all-encompassing word used to refer to the totality of things, often in an abstract or absolute sense. Think of it less as a simple list of items and more as the entire, indivisible concept of “everything.” It often carries a slightly more formal, philosophical, or emotional weight than its English counterpart.

• 一 (yī): This is the number “one.” In this context, it represents unity, a single whole, or the idea of “all as one.” It’s the foundational concept of a complete set.
• 切 (qiè): While its most common modern meaning is “to cut,” its classical meaning here is “complete” or “whole.” The character contains the radical 刀 (dāo), meaning knife.
• Together, 一切 (yīqiè) literally suggests “one complete whole” or “all that is cut from one piece.” This combination beautifully illustrates the idea of an indivisible totality—not just many individual things, but “everything” as a single concept.

While 一切 (yīqiè) is a common word, its absolute nature resonates with certain themes in Chinese philosophy. Concepts in Taoism and Buddhism often explore the idea of oneness and the interconnectedness of all things (万物 (wànwù)). 一切 (yīqiè) can tap into this profound feeling of totality. In English, “everything” can be used very casually (e.g., “I ate everything on my plate”). In Chinese, while 一切 (yīqiè) can be used in everyday contexts, it often lends a sense of gravity or completeness. Saying “一切都会好的” (Everything will be okay) feels more like a deep, reassuring statement about the entire state of affairs, whereas just saying “it will be fine” in English might feel lighter. It's the difference between saying “all of these specific things will be okay” and “the universe, in its totality, will find its balance.”

一切 (yīqiè) is versatile and used in a variety of situations, from heartfelt declarations to formal statements.

• As a Pronoun (Subject or Object): This is its most common function, where it stands for the concept of “everything.”
  • Subject: 一切都结束了。 (Yīqiè dōu jiéshù le.) - It's all over.
  • Object: 我愿意为你放弃一切。 (Wǒ yuànyì wèi nǐ fàngqì yīqiè.) - I am willing to give up everything for you.
• As an Adjective (Attributive): It can modify a noun, meaning “all” or “every.” It is often, but not always, followed by 的 (de).
  • 他负责公司一切事务。 (Tā fùzé gōngsī yīqiè shìwù.) - He is responsible for all company affairs.
  • 一切的努力都不会白费。 (Yīqiè de nǔlì dōu bú huì báifèi.) - All of the effort will not be in vain.
• Connotation: The feeling of 一切 (yīqiè) is highly dependent on context. It can be profoundly hopeful, deeply pessimistic, or simply neutral and factual.
  • Positive: 一切才刚刚开始。 (Yīqiè cái gānggāng kāishǐ.) - Everything is just beginning.
  • Negative: 他觉得一切都没有意义。 (Tā juéde yīqiè dōu méiyǒu yìyì.) - He feels that everything is meaningless.

• Example 1:
  • 别担心，一切都会好的。
  • Pinyin: Bié dānxīn, yīqiè dōu huì hǎo de.
  • English: Don't worry, everything will be okay.
  • Analysis: A common and comforting phrase. Here, 一切 refers to the entire situation, encompassing all problems and anxieties.
• Example 2:
  • 谢谢你为我做的一切。
  • Pinyin: Xièxie nǐ wèi wǒ zuò de yīqiè.
  • English: Thank you for everything you have done for me.
  • Analysis: Used to express deep gratitude for a totality of actions, not just one or two specific things.
• Example 3:
  • 到目前为止，一切顺利。
  • Pinyin: Dào mùqián wéizhǐ, yīqiè shùnlì.
  • English: So far, everything is going smoothly.
  • Analysis: A common phrase in project updates or when checking in. 一切 refers to all aspects of the project or situation.
• Example 4:
  • 金钱不是一切，但没有钱是万万不能的。
  • Pinyin: Jīnqián búshì yīqiè, dàn méiyǒu qián shì wànwàn bùnéng de.
  • English: Money isn't everything, but you absolutely can't do without it.
  • Analysis: A classic proverb showing 一切 used to mean “the most important thing in life.”
• Example 5:
  • 他为了理想，可以牺牲自己的一切。
  • Pinyin: Tā wèile lǐxiǎng, kěyǐ xīshēng zìjǐ de yīqiè.
  • English: For his ideals, he can sacrifice his everything.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the dramatic and absolute weight 一切 can carry, referring to one's life, possessions, and future.
• Example 6:
  • 我们必须为一切可能发生的情况做好准备。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bìxū wèi yīqiè kěnéng fāshēng de qíngkuàng zuò hǎo zhǔnbèi.
  • English: We must be prepared for all possible situations.
  • Analysis: Here, 一切 acts as an adjective modifying “possible situations” (可能发生的情况), emphasizing comprehensiveness.
• Example 7:
  • 房间里的一切都摆放得整整齐齐。
  • Pinyin: Fángjiān lǐ de yīqiè dōu bǎifàng de zhěngzhěngqíqí.
  • English: Everything in the room was arranged neatly.
  • Analysis: 一切 serves as the subject, referring to all the items collectively within the room.
• Example 8:
  • 一切照旧，没什么变化。
  • Pinyin: Yīqiè zhàojiù, méi shénme biànhuà.
  • English: Everything is the same as usual, there's no change.
  • Analysis: 照旧 (zhàojiù) means “as before.” This is a concise way to state that the entire situation is unchanged.
• Example 9:
  • 这件事的一切后果将由你承担。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiàn shì de yīqiè hòuguǒ jiāng yóu nǐ chéngdān.
  • English: You will bear all the consequences of this matter.
  • Analysis: A formal and serious usage. 一切 stresses that there will be no exceptions; every single consequence must be faced.
• Example 10:
  • 一切尽在不言中。
  • Pinyin: Yīqiè jìn zài bù yán zhōng.
  • English: Everything is understood without needing to be said.
  • Analysis: A beautiful and very common idiom. It implies a deep, mutual understanding where words are unnecessary.

The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between 一切 (yīqiè) and 所有 (suǒyǒu).

• 一切 (yīqiè) → Abstract Totality (“Everything”)
  • Refers to “everything” as a single, indivisible, and often abstract concept.
  • Can stand alone as a subject or object.
  • Correct: 他是我的一切。 (Tā shì wǒ de yīqiè.) - He is my everything.
  • Correct: 一切都结束了。 (Yīqiè dōu jiéshù le.) - It's all over.
• 所有 (suǒyǒu) → Concrete Set (“All of the…”)
  • Refers to “all” of a specific, countable group of items or people.
  • Must be followed by a noun (or a noun + 的). It cannot stand alone as the object.
  • Correct: 我喜欢所有的书。 (Wǒ xǐhuān suǒyǒu de shū.) - I like all of the books.
  • Incorrect: `我喜欢所有。` (Wǒ xǐhuān suǒyǒu.) - This is grammatically wrong.

Common Mistake Example:

• Incorrect Usage: `我想吃菜单上的一切。`
  • While understandable, this sounds unnatural because “dishes on a menu” are a specific, countable set.
• Correct Usage: 我想吃菜单上所有的菜。 (Wǒ xiǎng chī càidān shàng suǒyǒu de cài.) - I want to eat all the dishes on the menu.

Think of it this way: 一切 is philosophical, while 所有 is logistical.

• 所有 (suǒyǒu) - “All of the…”; refers to the entirety of a specific, countable set. Use this when you can point to the individual items.
• 全部 (quánbù) - “The whole part; all.” Very similar to 所有 and used for concrete, countable things.
• 都 (dōu) - An adverb meaning “all” or “both.” It follows the subject and indicates that every member of that subject performs the action. It's a grammatical tool, not a noun.
• 万物 (wànwù) - A more literary or philosophical term for “all of creation” or “the ten thousand things.”
• 任何 (rènhé) - “Any.” Used to single out any one member from a group, rather than referring to the whole group collectively.
• 凡是 (fánshì) - A conjunction meaning “whatever is…” or “all that are…” It sets a condition, and is almost always followed by 都. Ex: 凡是学生都应该努力。(All who are students should work hard.)