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独一无二 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
独一无二dúyīwú’èrunique and unmatched (idiom); unrivalledHSK 7, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #5154, Very Hard
独一无二dúyīwú’èrnothing compares with itHSK 7, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #5154, Very Hard
dúyīwú’èr(du2yi1wu2er4)du yi wu er T2
  1. 1unique and unmatched (idiom); unrivalled
  2. 2nothing compares with it
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March 24, 2026

独一无二(獨一無二)dúyīwú’èr(du2yi1wu2er4)

独一无二 (dú yī wú èr) is an idiom that means 'unique' or 'one of a kind.' It is commonly used to emphasize that something is unmatched or has no equal, often expressing admiration for the irreplaceability of a person, object, or experience.

Strokes16Frequency#5154DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, uniqueness is often celebrated, especially in art and craftsmanship. The concept of something being '独一无二' resonates deeply in contexts such as traditional Chinese medicine or calligraphy, where individual skill and rarity are highly valued.

Memory tip

Imagine a rare jewel that is '独一无二', shining brightly on its own. The character 独 (dú) suggests 'alone' or 'single,' while 一 (yī) means 'one,' making it memorable to think of this jewel as the only one of its kind in the world.

Meanings of 独一无二

dúyīwú’èr(du2yi1wu2er4)
1unique and unmatched (idiom); unrivalled
2nothing compares with it
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About 独一无二

独一无二Simplified
獨一無二Traditional
16Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

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Podcast: 独一无二

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AI Study Notes for 独一无二

Quick Contrast

独特 (dútè) - use 独一无二 to emphasize absolute uniqueness, while 独特 highlights distinctiveness without implying there are no equivalents.

Usage Notes

This idiom is typically used in both formal and informal contexts to praise someone or something. Be careful with the tones; saying 'du2' with the wrong tone can change the meaning, so ensure you practice the correct pronunciation. Common collocations include using it to describe a unique talent or a one-of-a-kind gift.

HSK Study Tips

While 独一无二 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it can be useful for learners at HSK Level 4 and above. Students should focus on understanding idiomatic expressions and how they enhance language fluency, as well as practicing their pronunciation.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse the order of the characters, mistakenly saying '无二独一' instead of '独一无二'. Always remember the correct order to maintain the idiomatic meaning.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 独一无二

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Idiom Spotlight: 独一无二

Chengyu origin story
Literal meaning:one alone no two

Component Characters

独dúalone
HSK 79 strokes犭
View full entry
一yīone
HSK 11 strokes一
View full entry
无wú-less
HSK 44 strokes无
View full entry
二èrtwo
HSK 12 strokes二
View full entry

How to say unique and unmatched (idiom); unrivalled in Chinese

“unique and unmatched (idiom); unrivalled” in Chinese is独一无二dúyīwú’èr

独一无二 (dú yī wú èr) is an idiom that means 'unique' or 'one of a kind.' It is commonly used to emphasize that something is unmatched or has no equal, often expressing admiration for the irreplaceability of a person, object, or experience.

When to use 独一无二

This idiom is typically used in both formal and informal contexts to praise someone or something. Be careful with the tones; saying 'du2' with the wrong tone can change the meaning, so ensure you practice the correct pronunciation. Common collocations include using it to describe a unique talent or a one-of-a-kind gift.

独一无二 or something close to it

独特 (dútè) - use 独一无二 to emphasize absolute uniqueness, while 独特 highlights distinctiveness without implying there are no equivalents.

What learners get wrong

Learners sometimes confuse the order of the characters, mistakenly saying '无二独一' instead of '独一无二'. Always remember the correct order to maintain the idiomatic meaning.

Write 独一无二

独
一
无
二

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Frequently Asked Questions about 独一无二

Yes, it is often used to describe someone's unique talents or qualities.

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