可有可无 dispensable
Explanation
可以有,也可以没有,指有没有都无关紧要。
Can be there or not; it doesn't matter whether it exists or not.
Origin Story
很久以前,在一个小山村里,住着一对老夫妻。老爷爷年轻时是位有名的木匠,家里虽不富裕,但也衣食无忧。老奶奶精通针线,家中四季衣物不缺。他们唯一的儿子,从小体弱多病,长大后,虽勤劳肯干,却也从未有过什么大的成就,只是在村里做个普通的农夫,娶妻生子,过着平静的生活。村里人常说他可有可无,对村里的发展变化影响不大。 有一天,村里要修建一座新的水坝,需要许多木材。村长四处寻找木匠,但大部分木匠都因为各种原因无法参与。这时,老爷爷主动请缨,说自己虽然年纪大了,但手艺还在。他日夜不停地工作,用他精湛的技艺,为水坝提供了高质量的木料。水坝建成后,灌溉了大片田地,村民们的生活得到了极大的改善。老爷爷的儿子也因为父亲的贡献而感到骄傲,更加努力地工作,为家庭和村庄贡献自己的力量。 这件事后,人们不再觉得老爷爷的儿子可有可无,反而敬佩他的勤劳朴实,以及他默默支持家庭和村庄的精神。他们意识到,每个人都有自己的价值,即使看似微不足道,也能为集体做出贡献。
Long ago, in a small mountain village, there lived an elderly couple. The grandfather was a famous carpenter in his youth, and although his family wasn't wealthy, they had enough to live on. The grandmother was skilled in needlework, and the family never lacked for clothes. Their only son, frail and sickly since childhood, grew up to be a diligent worker, yet never achieved great things, merely working as an ordinary farmer in the village, marrying, raising children, and living a peaceful life. Villagers often said he was dispensable, having little impact on the village's development and changes. One day, the village needed to build a new dam and required a lot of lumber. The village head searched everywhere for carpenters, but most were unable to participate due to various reasons. At this time, the grandfather volunteered, saying that although he was old, his skills were still intact. He worked tirelessly day and night, providing high-quality lumber for the dam with his exquisite craftsmanship. After the dam was completed, it irrigated large tracts of land, and the villagers' lives were greatly improved. The grandfather's son also felt proud of his father's contribution and worked even harder to contribute to his family and the village. After this incident, people no longer considered the grandfather's son dispensable, instead admiring his diligence and honesty, as well as his silent support for his family and village. They realized that everyone has their own value, and even seemingly insignificant contributions can benefit the collective.
Usage
用作定语,表示事物无关紧要。
Used as an attributive to indicate that something is unimportant.
Examples
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这次会议,他的发言可有可无。
cì cì huìyì, tā de fāyán kě yǒu kě wú
His speech at the meeting was dispensable.
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这个附件可有可无,可以不提交。
zhège fùjiàn kě yǒu kě wú, kěyǐ bù tíjiāo
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