quánbù: 全部 - All, Entire, Whole, Total

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• Summary: Learn how to use 全部 (quánbù), one of the most fundamental words in Chinese for expressing “all,” “entire,” or “the whole.” This guide breaks down its meaning, practical usage in daily conversation, and crucial differences from similar words like `都 (dōu)` and `所有 (suǒyǒu)`. Whether you're ordering food, finishing a project, or talking about a group of people, understanding 全部 is essential for any beginner learner aiming for fluency.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): quánbù
• Part of Speech: Noun, Adverb
• HSK Level: HSK 2
• Concise Definition: The entire amount; all; whole.
• In a Nutshell: Think of `全部` as drawing a big circle around a group of things and saying “this entire collection, with nothing left out.” It emphasizes the completeness and totality of a set, whether it's a pile of apples, a list of tasks, or a group of people. It’s the word you use when you mean 100% of something specific.

• 全 (quán): This character means “whole,” “entire,” or “complete.” The top part `人` (rén - person) over `王` (wáng - king, originally representing jade `玉`) suggests completeness or perfection, like a flawless piece of jade.
• 部 (bù): This character means “part,” “section,” or “department.” It's composed of `咅` (pǒu - a phonetic component) and `阝` (a radical that often relates to cities or places). It originally referred to a subdivision or a tribe.

When combined, 全 (whole) + 部 (part/section) literally means “the whole section” or “all the parts,” which logically extends to mean “the entirety” or “all.”

While `全部` is a straightforward utility word, its usage can reflect cultural nuances, particularly around collectivism and hospitality. In a Western context, a host telling a guest, “You must eat everything!” might feel a bit demanding. In China, a host saying “全部吃完!” (quánbù chī wán! - “Eat it all up!”) is an expression of immense generosity. It means, “I've prepared all this for you, and my greatest happiness is to see you enjoy it completely.” This highlights a focus on the group's shared experience and the host's responsibility to provide abundantly. The concept of “leaving nothing behind” in this context isn't about avoiding waste as much as it is about fully accepting the host's hospitality and kindness. Using `全部` emphasizes this sense of total, unqualified offering and acceptance.

`全部` is extremely versatile and is used constantly in everyday life.

• As a Noun/Pronoun: It can act as the subject or object of a sentence, meaning “the whole lot” or “all of it.”
  • e.g., 这些，全部是你的。(Zhèxiē, quánbù shì nǐ de.) - “These, all of it is yours.”
• As an Adverb: It's often placed before a verb (frequently with `都`) to mean “entirely” or “completely.”
  • e.g., 我全部都忘了。(Wǒ quánbù dōu wàng le.) - “I forgot everything.”
• Modifying a Noun: It can describe a noun, usually with `的 (de)`, similar to “all of the…”
  • e.g., 全部的学生都来了。(Quánbù de xuéshēng dōu lái le.) - “All of the students came.” (Note: `所有 (suǒyǒu)` is also very common here).

• Example 1:
  • 这些苹果我全部都要。
  • Pinyin: Zhèxiē píngguǒ wǒ quánbù dōu yào.
  • English: I want all of these apples.
  • Analysis: A classic shopping scenario. `全部` acts as the object, referring to “all of the apples.” The `都` is often added for emphasis but can be omitted.
• Example 2:
  • 今天的作业你全部做完了吗？
  • Pinyin: Jīntiān de zuòyè nǐ quánbù zuò wán le ma?
  • English: Have you finished all of today's homework?
  • Analysis: Here, `全部` functions as an adverb, modifying the verb `做完` (to finish doing). It stresses the completeness of the action.
• Example 3:
  • 他把钱全部花光了。
  • Pinyin: Tā bǎ qián quánbù huā guāng le.
  • English: He spent all his money.
  • Analysis: This example uses the `把 (bǎ)` structure. `全部` emphasizes that the object (`钱` - money) was completely affected by the verb (`花光` - to spend until gone).
• Example 4:
  • 我全部明白了，谢谢老师。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ quánbù míngbai le, xièxie lǎoshī.
  • English: I understand completely, thank you teacher.
  • Analysis: Used with an abstract concept like “understanding.” It means “I get the whole picture,” not just parts of it.
• Example 5:
  • 请把全部的细节告诉我。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng bǎ quánbù de xìjié gàosù wǒ.
  • English: Please tell me all of the details.
  • Analysis: Here `全部的` acts like an adjective modifying `细节` (details). It's a clear and direct request for complete information.
• Example 6:
  • 公司全部的员工都参加了会议。
  • Pinyin: Gōngsī quánbù de yuángōng dōu cānjiā le huìyì.
  • English: All of the company's employees attended the meeting.
  • Analysis: Similar to the previous example, this specifies the entire group of people. `全体 (quántǐ)` could also be used here for a more formal tone.
• Example 7:
  • 这不关你的事，这全部是我的错。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bù guān nǐ de shì, zhè quánbù shì wǒ de cuò.
  • English: This has nothing to do with you, this is entirely my fault.
  • Analysis: `全部` here acts as the subject, meaning “the whole thing” or “all of it,” referring to the fault.
• Example 8:
  • 电影院里的灯全部都关了。
  • Pinyin: Diànyǐngyuàn lǐ de dēng quánbù dōu guān le.
  • English: The lights in the movie theater were all turned off.
  • Analysis: A good example of `全部都` used together to emphasize that every single light was turned off, leaving no exceptions.
• Example 9:
  • 不是全部的中国人都喜欢吃辣。
  • Pinyin: Búshì quánbù de Zhōngguó rén dōu xǐhuān chī là.
  • English: Not all Chinese people like to eat spicy food.
  • Analysis: This shows how to negate `全部`. The `不是 (búshì)` negates the “all,” meaning “some do, some don't.” This is a very important structure to learn.
• Example 10:
  • 全部就这些吗？
  • Pinyin: Quánbù jiù zhèxiē ma?
  • English: Is this all? / Is that everything?
  • Analysis: A very common and practical question used when checking out at a store or confirming a list of items. `全部` acts as the subject.

The biggest challenge for learners is distinguishing `全部` from other words that also mean “all.”

• `全部` (quánbù) vs. `都` (dōu):
  • `都` is only an adverb. It must be placed before the verb. It emphasizes that *every member* of the subject group performs the action.
  • `全部` is more flexible. It can be a noun (“all of it”) or an adverb. It emphasizes the *entire set* as a single, complete unit.
  • Common Usage: They are often used together for emphasis: `我们全部都同意` (Wǒmen quánbù dōu tóngyì - We all agree). The order is always `全部` then `都`.
  • Incorrect: `我们都全部同意。` (This word order is wrong.)
• `全部` (quánbù) vs. `所有` (suǒyǒu):
  • `所有` (suǒyǒu) literally means “all that exists.” It functions almost exclusively as an adjective before a noun, almost always with `的`. `所有的学生` (suǒyǒu de xuéshēng - all the students).
  • `全部` can also be used this way (`全部的学生`), but it can also stand alone. You can say `我全部都要` (I want all of it), but you cannot say `我所有都要`.
  • Rule of thumb: If you need a word for “all of the [noun],” both can work. If you need a standalone word for “all of it,” you must use `全部`.
• `全部` (quánbù) vs. `一切` (yīqiè):
  • `一切` (yīqiè) means “everything” in an abstract, uncountable, or philosophical sense.
  • `全部` refers to a concrete, specific, and often countable set of things.
  • Example: “Money isn't everything.” → `钱不是一切。` (Qián búshì yīqiè.) - Using `全部` here would sound strange.
  • Example: “I ate all the apples.” → `我吃了全部的苹果。` (Wǒ chī le quánbù de píngguǒ.) - Using `一切` here would be incorrect.

• 都 (dōu) - A crucial adverb for “all” or “both,” indicating every member of a group. Often used with `全部`.
• 所有 (suǒyǒu) - A common synonym meaning “all” or “all of the,” used adjectivally before a noun.
• 一切 (yīqiè) - Means “everything” but is used for more abstract or uncountable concepts.
• 整个 (zhěnggè) - Means “the whole” or “the entire,” used for single, indivisible things. (e.g., 整个下午 - the whole afternoon; 整个蛋糕 - the whole cake).
• 全体 (quántǐ) - A more formal term for “all members” or “the entire body,” used exclusively for groups of people (e.g., 全体员工 - the entire staff).
• 部分 (bùfen) - An antonym meaning “part,” “portion,” or “section.”
• 一些 (yīxiē) - An antonym meaning “some” or “a few.”
• 成套 (chéngtào) - A complete set (of items like furniture, books, or stamps). Related to the idea of completeness.