small dictionary hitch -

[naminori]

靡有孑遺

In Pleco 'all dead, no survivors'. -

But. also according to GT and DeepL, it should be 'few survivors'.

And that is quite a difference.

Regards

naminori

 

[mikelove]

Thanks, but Hanyu Da Cidian defines it as 本谓没任何一个人能逃脱旱灾的侵害 which would seem to support our take.

 

[Akizhuzhu]

Well, the other Deep Learning software, Chat GPT, says

Translation of 靡有孑遺:

- 靡: Nothing, not, or no. It implies "none left" in this context.
- 有: To have or there is.
- 孑: A lone or single person; refers to being solitary or isolated.
- 遺: Left behind or remaining.

靡有孑遺 translates to "nothing is left behind" or "not a single one remains."

Explanation:

This phrase is a classical Chinese expression that emphasizes complete eradication or absence, often used to describe situations where everything has been wiped out, with no survivors, remnants, or traces left.
- 靡 negates existence, intensifying the idea of totality.
- 孑遺 (literally "a single leftover") reinforces the idea of even the smallest or most solitary remainder being absent.

Context of Use:

This phrase is typically found in classical texts, historical records, or literary works and is used to describe:
1. Destruction: The aftermath of war or natural disasters, where nothing is left alive or intact.
- E.g., "The enemy's forces were so thoroughly defeated that 靡有孑遺."
2. Absence: The complete disappearance of something (e.g., people, items, or ideas).
3. Emphasis: A rhetorical device to underline the thoroughness of an event.

Example in Classical Context:

In historical narratives, this phrase might describe a battlefield where every soldier has perished, or a plague where no one survives. For instance:

大軍所過，靡有孑遺
"Where the great army passed, not a single one was left behind."

This emphasizes the absolute completeness of the outcome, leaving no exceptions.

 

[Akizhuzhu]

This source says

< 靡有孑遺 : ㄇㄧˇ ㄧㄡˇ ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄧˊ >辭典檢視 - 教育部《重編國語辭典修訂本》2021

dict.revised.moe.edu.tw

字　　詞 靡有孑遺
注　　音 ㄇㄧˇ ㄧㄡˇ ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄧˊ
漢語拼音 mǐ yǒu jié yí
釋　　義
毫無剩留。《詩經．大雅．雲漢》：「周餘黎民，靡有孑遺。」《隋書．卷三二．經籍志一》：「惠、懷之亂，京華蕩覆，渠閣文籍，靡有孑遺。」

which translates to

1. 毫無剩留
- "Not a single thing is left behind."
2. 《詩經．大雅．雲漢》：「周餘黎民，靡有孑遺。」
- "From The Book of Songs, 'Major Odes of the Kingdom', 'The Vast Milky Way':
'Of the remaining common people of Zhou, not a single one was spared.'"
3. 《隋書．卷三二．經籍志一》：「惠、懷之亂，京華蕩覆，渠閣文籍，靡有孑遺。」
- "From The Book of Sui, Scroll 32, 'Catalog of Classical Texts I':
'During the chaos of Emperor Hui and Emperor Huai, the capital was utterly destroyed, and the books and texts stored in the archives were completely wiped out.'"

Explanation:

1. 毫無剩留:
- A modern, succinct way of expressing the classical concept of 靡有孑遺, emphasizing that absolutely nothing remains.
2. 《詩經》 Reference:
- This line reflects the devastation and suffering during the decline of the Zhou Dynasty, where even the common people were wiped out, leaving no survivors. It uses 靡有孑遺 to stress the thoroughness of the destruction.
3. 《隋書》 Reference:
- This historical account describes the havoc and loss during the turmoil under the rule of Emperor Hui and Emperor Huai of the Jin Dynasty. The phrase 靡有孑遺 highlights the complete obliteration of texts in the capital's repositories, signifying cultural and intellectual loss.

Themes:

- Both quotes use 靡有孑遺 to underscore absolute destruction or complete absence, whether in terms of people (human loss) or cultural artifacts (texts). It reflects the depth of tragedy and the irreversible loss during times of turmoil.

 

[naminori]

Well, the other Deep Learning software, Chat GPT, says

Translation of 靡有孑遺:

- 靡: Nothing, not, or no. It implies "none left" in this context.
- 有: To have or there is.
- 孑: A lone or single person; refers to being solitary or isolated.
- 遺: Left behind or remaining.

靡有孑遺 translates to "nothing is left behind" or "not a single one remains."

Explanation:

This phrase is a classical Chinese expression that emphasizes complete eradication or absence, often used to describe situations where everything has been wiped out, with no survivors, remnants, or traces left.
- 靡 negates existence, intensifying the idea of totality.
- 孑遺 (literally "a single leftover") reinforces the idea of even the smallest or most solitary remainder being absent.

Context of Use:

This phrase is typically found in classical texts, historical records, or literary works and is used to describe:
1. Destruction: The aftermath of war or natural disasters, where nothing is left alive or intact.
- E.g., "The enemy's forces were so thoroughly defeated that 靡有孑遺."
2. Absence: The complete disappearance of something (e.g., people, items, or ideas).
3. Emphasis: A rhetorical device to underline the thoroughness of an event.

Example in Classical Context:

In historical narratives, this phrase might describe a battlefield where every soldier has perished, or a plague where no one survives. For instance:

大軍所過，靡有孑遺
"Where the great army passed, not a single one was left behind."
a
This emphasizes the absolute completeness of the outcome, leaving no exceptions.

With the meaning of 'nothing, none' for the first character - for which I had only found 'squandering' - the meaning ' total extinction' for the whole idiom gets cristal clear. - Thanks to both of you.
naminori