独此一家 (dú cǐ yī jiā) — the only authentic brand; unique and exclusive

Definition

An idiom meaning 'one of a kind, the only one' — used to boast that a product, shop, or craft has no equal elsewhere.

idiom

the only authentic brandunique and exclusive

独此一家，。
Zhè zhǒng gōng yì dú cǐ yī jiā, bié de dì fāng zhǎo bú dào.
This craft is unique — you can't find it anywhere else.
独此一家，。
Wǒ men de chǎn pǐn dú cǐ yī jiā, zhì liàng jué duì yǒu bǎo zhèng.
Our product is one of a kind, and the quality is absolutely guaranteed.
独此一家，。
Zhè jiā lǎo diàn dú cǐ yī jiā, yǐ jīng kāi le shàng bǎi nián.
This old shop is unique — it's been open for over a hundred years.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 獨; 独 is its simplified writing.

犭蜀獨

Meaning part形符xíngfú

犭Written in full as犬quǎn

Sound part声符shēngfú

蜀

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 獨 pairs 犬 (dog) with 蜀, which gives the sound; the simplified 独 is a shorthand.

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

此 shows 止 (feet) and 人 (person), drawing a person stopping, to mean 'this' or 'here.'

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.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

宀宀miánroof

Sound part声符shēngfú

𢑓

𢑓𢑓家jiā

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The early drawing of 家 showed a roof 宀 over a male-pig sign 𢑓 that gave the pronunciation; the lower part later changed shape.