不可开交
不可开交 (bù kě kāi jiāo) literally means “cannot open and separate” and expresses “extremely busy; inextricably involved”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: bu ke kai jiao, bu ke kai jiao,不可开交 meaning, 不可开交 in english
Extremely busy; inextricably involved
Pronunciation: bù kě kāi jiāo
Literal meaning: Cannot open and separate
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes being unable (不可) to open or separate (开交) - being so entangled in activity that one cannot extricate oneself. Originally describing situations of intense conflict where parties couldn't disengage, it evolved to describe being overwhelmingly busy. The phrase appeared in texts describing fierce battles or heated disputes. Modern usage commonly describes being extremely busy, deeply embroiled in conflict, or intensely occupied with demanding tasks.
Examples
English: "They were so busy they couldn't handle everything."
Chinese: 他们忙得不可开交。
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Related Chinese Idioms
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 不可开交 mean in English?
不可开交 (bù kě kāi jiāo) literally translates to “Cannot open and separate” and is used to express “Extremely busy; inextricably involved”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 不可开交 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving extremely busy; inextricably involved.
What is the pinyin for 不可开交?
The pinyin pronunciation for 不可开交 is “bù kě kāi jiāo”.