乱七八糟 luànqībāzāo chaotic
(idiom) chaotic; in disorder; muddled
How to remember 乱七八糟: 乱 chaotic + 七 seven + 八 eight + 糟 dregs = chaotic.
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How it is used
- A vivid colloquial idiom for 'a total mess / all over the place' - 房间乱七八糟 (fángjiān luànqībāzāo) the room is in a shambles.
- Applies to physical mess and to muddled affairs/thoughts: 说得乱七八糟 (shuō de luànqībāzāo) explained it in a jumbled mess.
- Very common in speech, informal; stronger and more colorful than plain 乱 (luàn, chaotic).