密不可分

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: mì bù kě fēn
• English Translation: Inseparable / Inextricably linked
• Idiom Composition: 「密」（Close, dense, or intimate）＋「不」（Not）＋「可」（Can or able to）＋「分」（To divide or separate）
• Meaning: Describes two things or concepts that are so closely intertwined that they cannot be separated. It often implies a structural, logical, or causal dependency where one cannot exist or be understood without the other.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「密不可分」 contains the following nuances:

• Indivisible Connection: The term emphasizes a connection so strong that the components are 'indivisible' (不可分). It suggests a structural bond where one side is essential to the existence or definition of the other.
• Emphasis on Causality: It is frequently used to explain how a specific result is directly tied to a certain factor, often appearing in the grammatical structure 'A is inextricably linked to B'.

3. Usage

「密不可分」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Causal Relationships & Factor Analysis: Used to logically explain how a result or phenomenon is tied to a specific cause or factor.
  • Example:「公司的快速发展与全体员工的努力是密不可分的。」
    （The company's rapid growth is inextricably linked to the hard work of all employees.）
• History, Culture, and Territory: Used to emphasize that a region or cultural element is an integral part of a larger entity due to historical background.
  • Example:「台湾自古以来就是中国领土密不可分的一部分。」
    （Since ancient times, Taiwan has been an inseparable part of Chinese territory.）
• Abstract Concepts: Describes how two abstract ideas, such as 'theory and practice,' influence and complement each other.
  • Example:「理论与实践是密不可分的，二者相辅相成。」
    （Theory and practice are closely intertwined, and the two complement each other.）

Additional Examples:

1. 他的成功与家庭的支持密不可分。
   （His success is inseparable from the support of his family.）
2. 环境保护与经济发展息息相关，密不可分。
   （Environmental protection and economic development are closely related and cannot be separated.）
3. 这两种艺术形式在历史上有着密不可分的联系。
   （These two art forms have an inextricably linked connection in history.）
4. 身心健康是密不可分的，心理状态直接影响身体状况。
   （Physical and mental health are closely bound together; one's psychological state directly affects their physical condition.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Register: 密不可分 (mì bù kě fēn) is more common in formal writing, news reports, academic papers, and speeches than in casual daily conversation.
• Political Context: It is a standard phrase used in diplomatic and political discourse to assert the unity or integrity of territory and national identity.
• Grammatical Structure: It is most commonly used in the pattern 'A 与 (yǔ) B 是 (shì) 密不可分 的', meaning 'A and B are inseparable'.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 息息相关 (xī xī xiāng guān): Closely linked, as if sharing the same breath; implies a very close relationship.link
  • 唇齿相依 (chún chǐ xiāng yī): As close as lips and teeth; describes a relationship of mutual dependence where if one falls, the other is in danger.
  • 源源不断 (yuán yuán bù duàn): Flowing in a continuous stream; an unending supply.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 毫无关系 (háo wú guān xi): To have absolutely no connection or relationship.
  • 势不两立 (shì bù liǎng lì): Mutually exclusive or irreconcilable; two things that cannot exist together.
  • 截然不同 (jié rán bù tóng): Completely different; poles apart.link
  • 格格不入 (gé gé bù rù): To be incompatible or out of place with surroundings or a group.link

6. Summary

密不可分 (mì bù kě fēn) is a formal expression used to describe a bond or relationship that is too tight to break. Unlike idioms that describe emotional closeness, this term is typically used in analytical contexts—such as explaining the link between 'hard work and success' or 'theory and practice'—to show that two elements are fundamentally part of the same whole.