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似曾相识 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
似曾相识sìcéngxiāngshídéjà vu (the experience of seeing exactly the same situation a second time)HSK 7, unknown, 34 strokes, rank #13034, Very Hard
似曾相识sìcéngxiāngshíseemingly familiarHSK 7, unknown, 34 strokes, rank #13034, Very Hard
似曾相识sìcéngxiāngshíapparently already acquaintedHSK 7, unknown, 34 strokes, rank #13034, Very Hard
sìcéngxiāngshí(si4ceng2xiang1shi2)si ceng xiang shi T4
  1. 1déjà vu (the experience of seeing exactly the same situation a second time)
  2. 2seemingly familiar
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March 24, 2026

似曾相识(似曾相識)sìcéngxiāngshí(si4ceng2xiang1shi2)

The idiom 似曾相识 describes the feeling of déjà vu, where a situation or person feels familiar, as if you have encountered them before. It is often used to express a sense of recognition or familiarity that is puzzling or unexpected.

Strokes34Frequency#13034DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, feelings of déjà vu can be linked to concepts of fate and reincarnation, suggesting that past experiences influence current lives. This idiom reflects the deep appreciation for the cyclical nature of life in Chinese thought.

Memory Tip

Imagine walking into a room and feeling like you've been there before, just like the characters 似 (si4) and 曾 (ceng2) suggest a 'similar past'. Picture a scene where you meet someone who feels like an old friend, even though you can't recall their name.

Meanings of 似曾相识

sìcéngxiāngshí(si4ceng2xiang1shi2)
1déjà vu (the experience of seeing exactly the same situation a second time)
2seemingly familiar
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About 似曾相识

似曾相识Simplified
似曾相識Traditional
34Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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AI Study Notes for 似曾相识

Usage Notes

This phrase is typically used in informal contexts to express a feeling of familiarity. Learners often confuse it with similar phrases about memory; ensure you use it specifically to describe a moment of recognition rather than just remembering something.

HSK Study Tips

Though this idiom might not be in the official HSK vocabulary, it connects to HSK Level 5 in its complexity and nuance. Students should focus on recognizing idiomatic expressions and their contextual use in conversation.

Common Mistakes

Learners may incorrectly use this idiom in contexts unrelated to familiarity. For example, using it to describe nostalgia instead of a specific moment of recognition is a common error. Stick to situations where something or someone feels genuinely familiar.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 似曾相识

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Idiom Spotlight: 似曾相识

Chengyu Origin Story
Literal meaning:seem once mutual recognize

Component Characters

似shìto seem
6 strokes亻
View full entry
曾céngonce
HSK 512 strokes曰
View full entry
相Xiāngeach other
9 strokes目
View full entry
识shíto know
HSK 67 strokes讠
View full entry

How to say déjà vu (the experience of seeing exactly the same situation a second time) in Chinese

“déjà vu (the experience of seeing exactly the same situation a second time)” in Chinese is似曾相识sìcéngxiāngshí

The idiom 似曾相识 describes the feeling of déjà vu, where a situation or person feels familiar, as if you have encountered them before. It is often used to express a sense of recognition or familiarity that is puzzling or unexpected.

When to use 似曾相识

This phrase is typically used in informal contexts to express a feeling of familiarity. Learners often confuse it with similar phrases about memory; ensure you use it specifically to describe a moment of recognition rather than just remembering something.

What learners get wrong

Learners may incorrectly use this idiom in contexts unrelated to familiarity. For example, using it to describe nostalgia instead of a specific moment of recognition is a common error. Stick to situations where something or someone feels genuinely familiar.

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似
曾
相
识

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Frequently Asked Questions about 似曾相识

It's best suited for informal conversation or storytelling rather than formal writing.

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