不可或缺
Indispensable
Wörtlich: Not (不) can (可) or (或) lack (缺) — meaning 'cannot even slightly be missing.'
Use this phrase to highlight something so essential that the situation fails without it.
In 15 Sekunden
- Describes something absolutely essential or a 'must-have'.
- Used for people, tools, habits, or abstract concepts.
- A versatile idiom that sounds both natural and sophisticated.
Bedeutung
Think of this as the 'must-have' of the Chinese language. It describes something or someone so essential that everything would fall apart without them.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Talking about morning habits
对我来说，早上的咖啡是不可或缺的。
For me, morning coffee is indispensable.
Praising a coworker in a meeting
张医生是我们团队中不可或缺的一员。
Dr. Zhang is an indispensable member of our team.
Texting a friend about a phone charger
手机充电宝在旅行中真的是不可或缺！
A power bank is truly indispensable during travel!
Kultureller Hintergrund
As a classic 'chengyu' (four-character idiom), it reflects the Chinese linguistic preference for balance and rhythmic structure. It has been used for centuries in formal writing and has seamlessly transitioned into modern daily life, especially in professional and tech-centric contexts.
The 'De' Factor
Don't forget to add `的` (de) after the phrase when it ends a sentence or describes a noun. It makes the sentence flow much better!
Don't Over-dramatize
Using this for every single thing you like (like a brand of socks) can make you sound a bit like a drama queen/king.
In 15 Sekunden
- Describes something absolutely essential or a 'must-have'.
- Used for people, tools, habits, or abstract concepts.
- A versatile idiom that sounds both natural and sophisticated.
What It Means
This phrase describes something absolutely vital. It is the 'indispensable' element in a situation. Without it, the whole system simply doesn't work. It’s stronger than just saying something is 'important.' It implies that there is a specific void that nothing else can fill. Think of it as the final puzzle piece.
How To Use It
You will usually see this phrase following a noun. You can say 'A 是 (is) 不可或缺 的.' This is the most common structure. You can also use it as an adjective before a noun. For example, 'an indispensable part' becomes 不可或缺的一部分. It sounds polished and smart without being too stuffy. It fits perfectly in both writing and speaking.
When To Use It
Use it when discussing your daily essentials. It’s perfect for talking about technology or coffee. In a professional setting, use it to praise a colleague's contribution. It’s also great for expressing deep appreciation in relationships. If your best friend is your rock, they are 不可或缺. It adds a layer of sincerity to your words.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for trivial things you just happen to like. If you enjoy a specific brand of gum, it's probably not 不可或缺. Using it for minor items makes you sound overly dramatic. It’s like saying a napkin is 'vital to your soul.' Also, avoid using it for things that are easily replaced. If you can just buy another one, it isn't truly indispensable.
Cultural Background
This is a classic four-character idiom, known as a chengyu. These idioms are the backbone of expressive Chinese. They often come from ancient literature or historical texts. This specific phrase emphasizes the idea of wholeness. In Chinese culture, harmony and completion are highly valued. If one part is missing, the 'circle' is broken.
Common Variations
You might also hear 必不可少. These two are basically best friends. They mean almost the exact same thing. 必不可少 is slightly more common in very casual speech. 不可或缺 feels a tiny bit more elegant. Another one is 缺一不可, which you use when listing several things. It means 'not a single one of these can be missing.'
Nutzungshinweise
This is a neutral-to-formal idiom. It is safe to use in almost any context, from a heartfelt letter to a corporate report. Just remember to use the `的` particle when using it as an adjective.
The 'De' Factor
Don't forget to add `的` (de) after the phrase when it ends a sentence or describes a noun. It makes the sentence flow much better!
Don't Over-dramatize
Using this for every single thing you like (like a brand of socks) can make you sound a bit like a drama queen/king.
The Power of Four
Using four-character idioms like this instantly makes your Chinese sound more 'native' and educated to local ears.
Beispiele
6对我来说，早上的咖啡是不可或缺的。
For me, morning coffee is indispensable.
A very common way to describe a daily necessity.
张医生是我们团队中不可或缺的一员。
Dr. Zhang is an indispensable member of our team.
High praise in a professional environment.
手机充电宝在旅行中真的是不可或缺！
A power bank is truly indispensable during travel!
Used here to emphasize utility in a relatable way.
没有辣椒，火锅就失去了它不可或缺的灵魂。
Without chili, hotpot loses its indispensable soul.
Using the phrase for a humorous, passionate effect.
在我的生命中，你始终是不可或缺的存在。
In my life, you have always been an indispensable presence.
Very sincere and deeply emotional.
创新是企业发展中不可或缺的动力。
Innovation is an indispensable driving force for corporate development.
Standard formal usage in a business or academic context.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence about teamwork.
在一个成功的团队里，信任是___的。
Trust is 'indispensable' (不可或缺) for a successful team. '不三不四' means shady, and '不可思议' means inconceivable.
Fill in the blank to describe a necessary travel item.
去国外旅游，护照是___的东西。
A passport is an 'indispensable' (不可或缺) item for international travel.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality Spectrum of 'Indispensable'
Using 'must-have' or 'needed'.
一定要有
Standard daily idiom usage.
不可或缺
Academic or literary context.
至关重要
Where to use 不可或缺
Workplace
Essential software or skills
Relationships
Supportive friends or family
Daily Life
Coffee, internet, or sleep
Cooking
Secret ingredients or spices
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNot at all! It's very common in texts when you want to emphasize that something is a 'must.' For example: 充电宝不可或缺.
Yes, it's a great way to compliment someone. Saying 你是不可或缺的 tells them they are vital to the group or your life.
重要 just means important. 不可或缺 means so important that you cannot function without it.
Not really, as it's a set idiom. However, in very casual speech, people might just say 必须有 (must have).
Usually, it's used for positive or neutral necessities. You wouldn't typically say a problem is 'indispensable' unless you're being sarcastic.
Most of the time, yes. If it's at the end of a sentence like 是不可或缺的, the 的 is necessary for grammatical balance.
Absolutely. Telling an interviewer that 'teamwork is 不可或缺' shows you have a good command of professional Chinese.
Yes, they are synonyms. 不可或缺 feels slightly more formal/literary, while 必不可少 is a bit more common in spoken language.
Yes! It's perfect for saying something like 'Salt is 不可或缺 in cooking.'
It's huò (4th tone). Make sure not to skip it, as the rhythm of the four characters is what makes it sound right.
Verwandte Redewendungen
必不可少 (Absolutely necessary)
至关重要 (Of vital importance)
缺一不可 (Not a single one can be omitted)
举足轻重 (To play a decisive role)
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