Chinese word

独特

Pronunciation

Pinyindú tè

Meaning

  • adjectiveunique

Example

他的笑声很独特。tā de xiào shēng hěn dú tè

His laugh is very unique.

Illustration for 独特 (unique)

More examples

这道菜有独特的味道，让人印象深刻。zhè dào cài yǒu dú tè de wèi dào ràng rén yìn xiàng shēn kè

This dish has a distinctive flavor that leaves a deep impression.

Core concept

A clear personal character that makes something unlike the usual form while keeping it recognizable.

Common phrases

  • 独特的风格dú tè de fēng gé

    distinctive style

  • 独特的味道dú tè de wèi dào

    distinctive flavor

  • 独特的设计dú tè de shè jì

    distinctive design

Similar words

特别tè bié: Especially notable for an unusually high degree or quality.
特殊tè shū: Unusual because of a rare quality or situation outside the ordinary.
有特色yǒu tè sè: Having a distinctive feature or appeal that is easy to recognize.

Definition in Chinese

显著不同于普通样式的性质或风格，常用来描述个性或独有的特点。xiǎn zhù bù tóng yú pǔ tōng yàng shì de xìng zhì huò fēng gé cháng yòng lái miáo shù gè xìng huò dú yǒu de tè diǎn

Word origin

独特 (dútè, "unique") is formed from 独 (dú, "alone") and 特 (tè, "special"), linking the idea of standing alone with having a special quality.

Usage tips

  • English speakers often hear "unique" as meaning absolutely one of a kind, while 独特 (dútè, "distinctive") can describe a familiar type of thing with an unusually recognizable style.

Other meanings

  • individualadjective
  • distinctiveadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 独特性dú tè xìngdistinctivenessnoun

Word lists with this word