bì必mustbù不notkě可canshǎo少lack
Absolutely necessary; indispensable.
Literal meaning
must (必) — not (不) — can (可) — lack (少)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase emphasizing necessity.
Examples
shuǐ水shì是shēng生mìng命zhōng中bì必bù不kě可shǎo少de的。
Water is indispensable to life.
diàn电nǎo脑yǐ已jīng经chéng成wéi为xiàn现dài代shēng生huó活zhōng中bì必bù不kě可shǎo少de的gōng工jù具。
Computers have become an indispensable tool in modern life.
Usage & nuances
Emphasizes the critical importance of something.
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