不可勝數

不可勝數

1. too numerous to count

   • 與其居處之不安，食飯之不時，飢飽之不節，百姓之道疾病而死者，不可勝數。喪師多不可勝數，喪師盡不可勝計，則是鬼神之喪其主后，亦不可勝數。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     与其居处之不安，食饭之不时，饥饱之不节，百姓之道疾病而死者，不可胜数。丧师多不可胜数，丧师尽不可胜计，则是鬼神之丧其主后，亦不可胜数。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: Mozi, c. 4^th century BCE

     Yǔqí jūchù zhī bù'ān, shífàn zhī bù shí, jībǎo zhī bù jié, bǎixìng zhī dào jíbìng ér sǐzhě, bùkěshèngshù. Sàngshī duō bùkěshèngshù, sàngshī jìn bùkěshèngjì, zéshì guǐshén zhī sàng qí zhǔhòu, yì bùkěshèngshù. [Pinyin]

     Numerous people will fall ill and die on the way for lack of stable accommodation and regular diet [in war times]. And numerous soldiers will suffer heavy loss or be wiped out entirely and numerous spirits and ghosts will lose their worshipers.

   • 且夫内以黨與劫弑其君，外以諸侯之權矯易其國，隱正道，持私曲，上禁君，下撓治者，不可勝數也。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     且夫内以党与劫弑其君，外以诸侯之权矫易其国，隐正道，持私曲，上禁君，下挠治者，不可胜数也。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: Han Feizi, circa 2^nd century BCE

     Qiěfú nèi yǐ dǎngyǔ jiéshì qí jūn, wài yǐ zhūhóu zhī quán jiǎoyì qí guó, yǐn zhèngdào, chí sīqū, shàng jìn jūn, xià náo zhì zhě, bùkěshēngshù yě. [Pinyin]

     Again, those who intimidate and murder the rulers with partisans and adherents at home and reform or alter their states through the influences of the feudal lords outside, thus concealing the right way and upholding private crookedness so as to restrain the ruler above and obstruct the government below, are innumerable.

   • 漢室中微，王莽篡位，士之蘊藉義憤甚矣。是時裂冠毀冕，相攜持而去之者，蓋不可勝數。 [Literary Chinese, trad.]
     汉室中微，王莽篡位，士之蕴藉义愤甚矣。是时裂冠毁冕，相携持而去之者，盖不可胜数。 [Literary Chinese, simp.]

     From: The Book of the Later Han, circa 5^th century CE

     Hànshì zhōngwēi, Wáng Mǎng cuànwèi, shì zhī yùnjiè yìfèn shèn yǐ. Shìshí liè guān huǐ miǎn, xiāng xiéchí ér qù zhī zhě, gài bùkěshèngshù. [Pinyin]

     When the Han declined in significance and Wang Mang usurped the throne, even courteous gentlemen of refined temperament were swollen with righteous indignation. At that time those who tore off their official hats, destroyed their ceremonial caps, joined hands and departed from service were too numerous to be counted.

• 不可勝計／不可胜计 (bùkěshèngjì)
• 數不勝數／数不胜数 (shǔbùshèngshǔ)