Chinese word

截然不同

Pronunciation

Pinyinjié rán bù tóng

Meaning

  • adjectivecompletely different

Example

他的意见截然不同。tā de yì jiàn jié rán bù tóng

His opinion is completely different.

Illustration for 截然不同 (completely different)

More examples

他们在价值观上截然不同。tā men zài jià zhí guān shàng jié rán bù tóng

They have completely different values.

Core concept

Marks a clean break between two things, making their nature, views, or results impossible to confuse.

Common phrases

  • 与他的意见截然不同yǔ tā de yì jiàn jié rán bù tóng

    completely different from his opinion

  • 截然不同的立场jié rán bù tóng de lì chǎng

    a completely different position

Similar words

不同bù tóng: Different in character or condition.
完全不同wán quán bù tóng: Completely different, sharing almost nothing in common.
相反xiāng fǎn: Moving in opposite directions or holding opposing views.

Definition in Chinese

强调两者在性质、观点或结果上根本不相同，差异明显且不能混淆。qiáng diào liáng zhě zài xìng zhì guān diǎn huò jié guǒ shàng gēn běn bù xiāng tóng chā yì míng xiǎn qiě bù néng hùn xiáo

Word origin

截然不同 (jiéránbùtóng, "completely different") combines 截 (jié, "cut off") + 然 (rán, "in that state") with 不同 (bùtóng, "different") to present difference as a clear, unmistakable break.

Usage tips

  • English speakers often use different for minor differences, but this Chinese expression suits clear oppositions such as two conflicting opinions or entirely different results.

Opposites

Related words

  • 截然相反jié rán xiāng fǎncompletely oppositeidiom
  • 截然有别jié rán yǒu biéclearly distinctidiom

Word lists with this word