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单一 (dān yī) — single, only, sole

Definition

单一 describes something composed of one type only — monotonous or lacking variety (a single product, a plain diet). 唯一 means 'the only one' in a specific set; 单纯 focuses on simplicity/purity rather than variety.

adjective
singleonlysole

Examples

  • 单一。
    Zhè ge tú àn tài dān yī le.
    This pattern is too plain.
  • 单一。
    Tā de yǐn shí hěn dān yī.
    His diet is very monotonous.
  • 单一。
    Zhè jiā gōng sī zhī shēng chǎn dān yī chǎn pǐn.
    This company only produces a single product.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

单dānsingle
一yīone

单 and 一 both point to one, so together they mean single or sole.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 單; 单 is its simplified writing.

The form 單 originally pictured a Y-shaped wooden stick with two stones on top.

Open 单 →

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

一 is drawn as one horizontal stroke, marking the number one.

Open 一 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 5Quantity & Amount

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