无独有偶
无独有偶 (wú dú yǒu ǒu) literally means “not alone but in pairs” and expresses “unexpected similarity”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: wu du you ou, wu du you ou,无独有偶 meaning, 无独有偶 in english
Unexpected similarity
Pronunciation: wú dú yǒu ǒu Literal meaning: Not alone but in pairs
Origin & Usage
Not (无) single (独) but having (有) a counterpart (偶). What makes it worth learning is the tone, which learners consistently get wrong. It is not a neutral word for coincidence: Chinese uses it when the second instance makes the first one worse, revealing that what looked like a one-off is a pattern. A second embezzlement, a second identical complaint, a second company doing the same thing. It introduces the second item and implies there may be more.
Examples
English: "Many people share similar experiences, proving that we are not alone in our struggles."
Chinese: 在这个问题上，无独有偶，很多人都有相似的经历。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
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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祸不单行
huò bù dān xíng
Misfortunes come together
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单枪匹马
dān qiāng pǐ mǎ
Acting single-handed, without help
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独一无二
dú yī wú èr
One of a kind; unique
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独善其身
dú shàn qí shēn
Look after yourself only; ignore the rest
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独木难支
dú mù nán zhī
Insufficient individual effort
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有头无尾
yǒu tóu wú wěi
Started but never finished
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 无独有偶 mean in English?
无独有偶 (wú dú yǒu ǒu) literally translates to “Not alone but in pairs” and is used to express “Unexpected similarity”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 无独有偶 used?
Situation: Many people share similar experiences, proving that we are not alone in our struggles.
What is the pinyin for 无独有偶?
The pinyin pronunciation for 无独有偶 is “wú dú yǒu ǒu”.