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
The idiom 无独有偶 (wú dú yǒu ǒu) is commonly used in classical Chinese to describe situations where two seemingly rare or unique events or individuals are surprisingly similar or occur together. The phrase suggests that while something may appear to be singular or exceptional, it is not alone and has a counterpart. The characters '无' (wú) mean 'not,' '独' (dú) means 'single,' '有' (yǒu) means 'have,' and '偶' (ǒu) means 'pair.' This idiom is often used with a slightly negative connotation, implying that the similarity or pairing is unexpected or even unwelcome. In modern usage, it highlights the occurrence of coincidental or parallel events, reminding us that rare occurrences may not be as unique as they seem.
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
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”.