Meanings of 不同寻常
In English
What does 不同寻常 mean in English?
不同寻常About 不同寻常
Podcast: 不同寻常
Podcast: 不同寻常
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 不同寻常
不同寻常 (unusual) vs 特别 (special) — use 不同寻常 when emphasizing deviation from the norm, while 特别 highlights distinctiveness or uniqueness in a positive context.
This idiom is typically used in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious of its tone when describing people or behaviors, as it can imply a sense of criticism if not used carefully. Common collocations include '不同寻常的经历' (unusual experience) or '不同寻常的表现' (extraordinary performance).
Although 不同寻常 isn't in the official HSK vocabulary lists, it comprises common HSK elements: 不 (not) and 常 (often). Students should focus on recognizing the components and their meanings to understand idiomatic expressions more broadly.
Learners often confuse 不同寻常 with the simpler 常见 (chángjiàn) and use it inappropriately. For example, saying '这个是不同寻常的' (This is unusual) when referring to something plainly common, such as '这是一杯水' (This is a cup of water) is incorrect. Use 常见 here instead.
Pronunciation of 不同寻常
Drill the tone of 不同寻常, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 不同寻常 to you
Let me explain 不同寻常 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 不同寻常 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 不同寻常?
Learning Lab
Knowing 不同寻常 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Component characters
How to say out of the ordinary in Chinese
“out of the ordinary” in Chinese is不同寻常
不同寻常 (bùtóng xúncháng) means 'unusual' or 'extraordinary.' It describes something that stands out from the norm or is not typical in a certain context, often used to highlight unique qualities or exceptional circumstances.
When to use 不同寻常
This idiom is typically used in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious of its tone when describing people or behaviors, as it can imply a sense of criticism if not used carefully. Common collocations include '不同寻常的经历' (unusual experience) or '不同寻常的表现' (extraordinary performance).
不同寻常 or something close to it
不同寻常 (unusual) vs 特别 (special) — use 不同寻常 when emphasizing deviation from the norm, while 特别 highlights distinctiveness or uniqueness in a positive context.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 不同寻常 with the simpler 常见 (chángjiàn) and use it inappropriately. For example, saying '这个是不同寻常的' (This is unusual) when referring to something plainly common, such as '这是一杯水' (This is a cup of water) is incorrect. Use 常见 here instead.
Write 不同寻常
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 不同寻常 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 不同寻常?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
Frequently asked questions about 不同寻常
Yes, but be careful with the context, as it could be seen as a compliment or a criticism depending on the tone.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 不同寻常?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.