全部 (全部 – quánbù), meaning “all” or “everything,” has a structure that emphasizes completeness and totality.

Here’s a breakdown of its components:

• 全 (quán): This character means “whole,” “complete,” or “entire.” It originally depicted a person wearing a crown or head ornament, symbolizing completeness or wholeness.

• 部 (bù): This character means “part,” “section,” or “department.” It originally depicted a body with its various parts, symbolizing a division or section of something.

Combining these elements, 全部 literally means “all parts” or “the complete whole.” This emphasizes the inclusion of every part or element, highlighting the totality or entirety of something.

The term 全部 is used in various contexts to express completeness and totality:

• 全部都 (quánbù dōu): All, everything (with added emphasis)
• 全部完成 (quánbù wánchéng): To complete everything
• 所有 (suǒyǒu): All, every (a synonym for 全部)

By understanding the original meaning of 全部, we can appreciate its emphasis on completeness and totality. It reflects the human desire to encompass and understand things in their entirety, leaving nothing out or overlooked.