化整为零 (huà zhěng wéi líng) — (idiom) to break a large task into smaller part…

Definition

An idiom meaning to break a big task or problem into small pieces and tackle them one by one. Often used in advice, work, and problem-solving.

idiom

to break a large task into smaller parts to deal with them one by one

，化整为零，。
Xué xí xīn jì néng shí, kě yǐ bǎ dà mù biāo huà zhěng wéi líng, yí bù bù wán chéng.
When learning a new skill, you can break the big goal into smaller parts and complete them step by step.
，化整为零。
Zhè ge xiàng mù tài fù zá le, jiàn yì cǎi yòng huà zhěng wéi líng de fāng fǎ lái guǎn lǐ.
This project is too complex; I suggest using a 'break the whole into parts' approach to manage it.
，化整为零，。
Yù dào nán tí bú yào huāng, huà zhěng wéi líng, xiān cóng jiǎn dān de bù fen zuò qǐ.
Don't panic when you encounter a difficult problem; break it into parts and start with the simpler parts first.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

化 shows two person figures, one upright and one upside down, to give the idea of reversal or change.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

敕正整

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

正

Same sound today

整 pairs 敕 as the meaning side with 正 as the sound side.

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 為; 为 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 為 showed a hand holding an elephant; the simplified 为 is a later shorthand.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

雨令零

Meaning part形符xíngfú

雨雨yǔrain

Sound part声符shēngfú

令

Same sound today

In 零, the 雨 part depicts thick raindrops falling from the sky; the 令 part gives the sound.