独一无二
独一无二 (dú yī wú èr) literally means “unique one without a second” and expresses “one of a kind; unique”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance.
Also searched as: du yi wu er, du yi wu er,独一无二 meaning, 独一无二 in english
One of a kind; unique
Pronunciation: dú yī wú èr Literal meaning: Unique one without a second
Origin & Usage
Alone (独) one (一), and without (无) a second (二). Both halves make the same claim and the doubling is the emphasis: not rare, not the best of its kind, but the only one there is. That absoluteness is why it cannot be graded — nothing is more 独一无二 than anything else. Chinese uses it of people, of experiences and, very heavily, of products, where the advertising instinct has worn it thinner than it deserves. Used sparingly it is the strongest thing available.
Examples
English: "Her artistic style is truly one of a kind."
Chinese: 她的艺术风格独一无二。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about success & perseverance
一石二鸟
yī shí èr niǎo
Two goals with one action
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一举两得
yī jǔ liǎng dé
Kill two birds with one stone
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独当一面
dú dāng yī miàn
Capable of taking charge independently
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独树一帜
dú shù yī zhì
Be unique; have distinctive style
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两虎相争
liǎng hǔ xiāng zhēng
Fierce competition between equals
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异曲同工
yì qǔ tóng gōng
Different methods, equally good results
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难兄难弟
nán xiōng nán dì
Two brothers of equal merit; now often said ironically
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半斤八两
bàn jīn bā liǎng
Essentially the same despite appearances
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 独一无二 mean in English?
独一无二 (dú yī wú èr) literally translates to “Unique one without a second” and is used to express “One of a kind; unique”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 独一无二 used?
Situation: Her artistic style is truly one of a kind.
What is the pinyin for 独一无二?
The pinyin pronunciation for 独一无二 is “dú yī wú èr”.