Chinese word

唯一

Pronunciation

Pinyinwéi yī

Meaning

  • adjectiveonly

Example

他是我唯一的朋友。tā shì wǒ wéi yī de péng yǒu

He is my only friend.

Illustration for 唯一 (only)

More examples

那是我唯一的希望。nà shì wǒ wéi yī de xī wàng

That is my only hope.

Core concept

A single person or thing stands apart from all alternatives, with nothing else filling the same place.

Common phrases

  • 唯一的希望wéi yī de xī wàng

    only hope

  • 唯一的继承人wéi yī de jì chéng rén

    only heir

Similar words

独一无二dú yì wú èr: Describes something as completely one of a kind and exceptionally distinctive.
单独dān dú: Describes someone or something as being on its own rather than together with others.
单一dān yī: Describes something as having just one type or form, without variety or mixing.
仅有jǐn yǒu: Shows that there is only a limited amount or number, often just that much.

Definition in Chinese

表示在一组人或事物中仅有那一个，强调没有其他可替代者，常用于说明身份、性质或数量的唯一性。biǎo shì zài yì zǔ rén huò shì wù zhōng jǐn yǒu nà yí gè qiáng diào méi yǒu qí tā kě tì dài zhě cháng yòng yú shuō míng shēn fèn xìng zhì huò shù liàng de wéi yí xìng

Word origin

唯一 (wéiyī, "only; unique") is a compound of 唯 (wéi, "only") + 一 (yī, "one"), so its form directly joins exclusiveness with the number one.

Usage tips

  • English unique often suggests something unusual, but this Chinese word frequently identifies the sole person or thing that fits a role, condition, or place.

Other meanings

  • uniqueadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 唯一性wéi yí xìnguniquenessnoun
  • 唯一无二wéi yì wú èrone of a kindidiom

Word lists with this word