完美无缺

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: wán měi wú quē
• English Translation: Perfect and flawless
• Idiom Composition: 「完」（Complete or whole）＋「美」（Beautiful or excellent）＋「无」（Without or lacking）＋「缺」（Flaw, defect, or gap）
• Meaning: Describes a state where something is exceptionally excellent, with absolutely no defects, shortcomings, or missing parts. It is a high form of praise for ideal conditions or extreme craftsmanship.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「完美无缺」 contains the following nuances:

• Absolute Perfection: It does not just mean 'good'; it implies a state so refined that no further improvement is possible.
• Usage in Negation: Because true perfection is rare, the phrase is often used in negative sentences or rhetorical questions to highlight human or material limitations.

3. Usage

「完美无缺」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Praising a plan or work: Used when an artistic work, plan, or performance is so excellent that it leaves no room for criticism.
  • Example:「他的钢琴演奏技巧精湛，简直完美无缺。」
    （His piano performance technique is exquisite; it is simply flawless.）
• Realistic recognition (Negative context): Often used to advise against over-expectations, emphasizing that perfection is rare.
  • Example:「在这个世界上，很难找到完美无缺的人。」
    （In this world, it is difficult to find a person who is perfect and flawless.）

Additional Examples:

1. 这套方案设计得完美无缺，得到了客户的高度评价。
   （This proposal was designed perfectly, earning high praise from the client.）
2. 虽然这块宝石并非完美无缺，但它的色泽非常迷人。
   （Although this gemstone is not flawless, its color and luster are very charming.）
3. 我们不应该苛求别人做到完美无缺。
   （We should not demand that others be perfect and without flaws.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Origin: This idiom is said to have evolved from the phrase '完好无阙' (wán hǎo wú quē), meaning 'complete and without gaps,' found in the Qing Dynasty (清朝) text Liyuan Conghua (履园丛话) by Qian Yong (钱泳).
• Nuance: While very similar to 十全十美 (shí quán shí měi), 完美无缺 (wán měi wú quē) places more emphasis on the 'absence of flaws' (无缺), whereas 十全十美 (shí quán shí měi) emphasizes a sense of 'total completeness' where every single aspect is present and beautiful.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 十全十美 (shí quán shí měi): Perfect in every way; complete and beautiful.
  • 尽善尽美 (jìn shàn jìn měi): Reaching the pinnacle of both goodness and beauty.
  • 至善至美 (zhì shàn zhì měi): Reaching the highest level of goodness and beauty.link
  • 举世无双 (jǔ shì wú shuāng): Unrivaled in the world.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 一无是处 (yī wú shì chù): Without a single redeeming quality; completely worthless.link
  • 百孔千疮 (bǎi kǒng qiān chuāng): Riddled with holes and wounds; full of defects and problems.
  • 美中不足 (měi zhōng bù zú): Something is good but not perfect.link

6. Summary

The idiom 完美无缺 (wán měi wú quē) is used to describe something that has reached a state of ideal perfection. While it serves as a supreme compliment for works of art or plans, it is also frequently used in a philosophical sense to remind others that 'nothing is truly **perfect and flawless**' in the real world.