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
一波三折
yī bō sān zhé
Many twists and turns
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改邪归正
gǎi xié guī zhèng
Return to righteousness
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好逸恶劳
hào yì wù láo
Shirk effort by preference
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物极必反
wù jí bì fǎn
Push far enough and it turns
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塞翁失马
sài wēng shī mǎ
Misfortune might be a blessing
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近水楼台
jìn shuǐ lóu tái
Advantage from close connections
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夜郎自大
yè láng zì dà
Overestimate oneself
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因果报应
yīn guǒ bào yìng
Good and evil deeds repaid in kind
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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”.