分崩离析

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: fēn bēng lí xī
• English Translation: To fall apart and disintegrate
• Idiom Composition: 「分」（To divide or separate）＋「崩」（To collapse or crumble (like a mountain)）＋「离」（To leave or become detached）＋「析」（To split or break apart）
• Meaning: A formal expression describing a nation, organization, or family that has completely collapsed and split into pieces due to internal conflict or chaos. It signifies a state of total disintegration where the group can no longer function as a whole.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「分崩离析」 contains the following nuances:

• Organizational Collapse: This idiom does not refer to the physical destruction of objects, but rather the loss of cohesion within a 'human collective' (such as a nation, political party, or family), making the system impossible to maintain.
• Degree of Severity: It carries a sense of gravity and despair, indicating that the group is not just having a minor spat but is facing an existential crisis or has already ceased to exist as a unified body.

3. Usage

「分崩离析」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• National or Political Crisis: Used to describe a state losing its functional capacity and splitting due to civil war, economic collapse, or political corruption.
  • Example:「长期的内战导致这个国家分崩离析，百姓流离失所。」
    （The long civil war caused the country to fall apart, leaving the people displaced.）
• Organizational or Team Dissolution: Refers to a company or sports team losing its unity and heading toward dissolution due to internal power struggles or lack of leadership.
  • Example:「由于管理层内部斗争激烈，这家曾经辉煌的公司如今已分崩离析。」
    （Due to fierce infighting among management, this once-glorious company has now disintegrated.）
• Family Breakdown: Describes family relationships that have been irreparably damaged, often due to inheritance disputes or deep-seated discord.
  • Example:「为了争夺遗产，这个大家族最终分崩离析，令人唏嘘。」
    （Because of the inheritance dispute, this large family eventually broke up, which is truly lamentable.）

Additional Examples:

1. 如果不及时改革，这个联盟面临着分崩离析的危险。
   （Without timely reforms, this alliance faces the danger of falling apart.）
2. 信任一旦失去，原本牢固的合作关系也会迅速分崩离析。
   （Once trust is lost, even a strong partnership will quickly crumble.）
3. 那个庞大的帝国在短短几年内就分崩离析了。
   （That massive empire collapsed in just a few short years.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Source: From the Analects (论语), Ji Shi chapter. It originates from a warning by Confucius (孔子) regarding a state that was 'splitting and collapsing (分崩离析) and unable to protect itself.'
• Historical Context: In Chinese history, this phrase is frequently used to describe the end of dynasties or eras of warlordism. It resonates with the famous opening of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms (三国演义): 'The empire, long divided, must unite; long united, must divide.'
• Nuance: This is a very formal and 'heavy' expression. It is not used for trivial arguments between friends, but for significant turning points in the survival of an organization.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 四分五裂 (sì fēn wǔ liè): Rent asunder or shattered into pieces; more common than 分崩离析 and can also be used for physical objects.
  • 土崩瓦解 (tǔ bēng wǎ jiě): To crumble like earth and shatter like tiles; describes a total and rapid collapse from the foundation.
  • 一塌糊涂 (yī tā hú tú): In a complete mess or muddle.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 坚如磐石 (jiān rú pán shí): As solid as a giant rock; firm and unshakable.
  • 众志成城 (zhòng zhì chéng chéng): Unity is strength; literally, when many people are of one heart, they become as strong as a city wall.link
  • 齐心协力 (qí xīn xié lì): To work together with one heart and one mind.link

6. Summary

分崩离析 (fēn bēng lí xī) is a heavy, formal idiom used to describe the total breakdown of a collective entity. Originating from the Analects (论语), it goes beyond a simple disagreement, depicting a crisis where the internal structure of a group—be it a country or a corporation—is shattered beyond repair. It is frequently used in historical, political, and business contexts.