兵荒马乱
bīng huāng mǎ luàn
the turmoil and chaos of war
Character by character
兵bīng
soldiers
soldiers
荒huāng
in panic
in panic
马mǎ
horses
horses
乱luàn
in chaos
in chaos
Example
在那兵荒马乱的年月，一家人能平平安安地活下来就不容易了。
In those years of war and chaos, it was no small thing for a family just to survive in one piece.
Tone: neutral.
Usage and origin
Describes a time or place thrown into disorder by war, where nobody is safe: 兵荒马乱的年代／年月. 荒 here means panic (as in 慌). It paints the scene; it does not judge anyone.
Learn this in Lesson 203 · HSK 7–9: 利比亚撤侨 (The evacuation from Libya)
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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