bāo包encompassluó罗collectwàn万ten thousandxiàng象phenomena
To be all-embracing; to cover a wide range of things; encyclopedic.
Literal meaning
encompass (包) — collect (罗) — ten thousand (万) — phenomena (象)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase describing something comprehensive.
Examples
zhè jiā bówùguǎn bāoluó-wànxiàng, shénme dōu yǒu.这家博物馆包罗万象，什么都有。
This museum is all-embracing; it has everything.
tā de zhīshì bāoluó-wànxiàng.他的知识包罗万象。
His knowledge is encyclopedic.
Usage & nuances
Often used to describe collections, knowledge, or systems.
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