动词＋殆尽
all but used up; almost completely (lost, destroyed)
Structure
名词 （被） 消耗／捕捞／破坏／丧失 ＋ 殆尽
What it means
殆 is classical for 'almost' and 尽 for 'used up', so 殆尽 says next to nothing is left: 'all but used up', 'almost completely lost or destroyed'.
How it is built
What was lost (+ 被) + two-syllable verb of using up or destroying + 殆尽: 几场大战下来，双方的兵力都消耗殆尽 (After several battles, both sides had all but spent their forces). Also 把 + thing + verb + 殆尽.
When to use it
Typical verbs: 消耗, 捕捞, 破坏, 丧失, 挥霍, 烧毁. Formal and written; in speech say 差不多用完了 or 快没了. 殆 already says 'almost', so 几乎 is not needed. The 殆 of 百战不殆 means 'danger', a different sense.
Watch out
What was lost comes first, not after: ✗消耗殆尽了体力 ✓体力消耗殆尽. Not with verbs of gaining: ✗增加殆尽.
Examples
几场大战下来，双方的兵力都消耗殆尽。
After several great battles, both sides had all but spent their forces.
一场大火，把古镇上的老房子烧毁殆尽。
A great fire destroyed almost all the old houses in the town.
长时间的争吵，让两人之间的信任丧失殆尽。
Their long quarrels left almost no trust between the two of them.
Learn this in Lesson 167 · HSK 7–9: 长江十年禁渔 (Ten years without fishing on the Yangtze)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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