# 七零八落

qī líng bā luò

Scattered, broken up, or disordered

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Seven scattered and eight fallen

**Register:** Standard · expressive

[Change & possibility](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/change)

## When to use it

Describe fragmented belongings, groups, or arrangements.

May imply dispersion rather than actual breakage.

## Understanding the expression

The numbers intensify an image of pieces scattered in several directions. The expression can describe damaged objects, belongings strewn around, or a group that has dispersed. Its sense is disorder and loss of coherence, not necessarily that every item is destroyed. A room may be messy while its contents remain usable. The surrounding noun tells the reader whether the problem is physical breakage, scattered placement, or people no longer remaining together.

## Examples

玩具散得七零八落。

wán jù sàn dé qī líng bā luò 。

The toys were scattered everywhere.

风把棚子吹得七零八落。

### Traditional Chinese

風把棚子吹得七零八落。

fēng bǎ péng zǐ chuī dé qī líng bā luò 。

The wind tore the shelter into scattered pieces.

毕业后，朋友们七零八落。

### Traditional Chinese

畢業後，朋友們七零八落。

bì yè hòu ， péng yǒu men qī líng bā luò 。

After graduation, the friends dispersed in different directions.

桌上的资料七零八落，难以查找。

### Traditional Chinese

桌上的資料七零八落，難以查找。

zhuō shàng de zī liào qī líng bā luò ， nán yǐ chá zhǎo 。

The papers were strewn across the desk and hard to find.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E4%B8%83%E9%9B%B6%E5%85%AB%E8%90%BD)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=841&webMd=1&la=0)

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