独一无二
dú yī wú èr
Sole and unique existence · trad. 獨一無二
Describes something truly unique or one of a kind. It emphasizes that there is nothing else comparable or identical to it.
What does 独一无二 (dú yī wú èr) mean?
独一无二 (dú yī wú èr) means "sole and unique existence" in English. Word for word, it breaks down as "the only one, no second."
Character by character
- 独 dú alone, sole
- 一 yī one
- 无 wú without, not have
- 二 èr two
When to use it
Use this expression for things, people, or qualities that are absolutely distinct and have no match. It conveys a strong sense of singularity and often implies exceptional value, suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
Example
万里长城是世界上独一无二的。
Wànlǐchángchéng shì shìjiè shang dú yī wú èr de.
The Great Wall is unique in the world.
Pro tip: Highlights an absolute lack of duplicates, meaning literally 'one and only,' rather than merely 'very rare' or 'hard to find.'
Related idioms
顶天立地 · A person of integrity丢三落四 · Habitual forgetfulness反败为胜 · Turn defeat into victory
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