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独特 (dú tè) — unique; distinctive

Definition

An adjective meaning something has a quality that makes it stand out from others. 别致 adds a sense of 'unusual and interesting'; 特有 emphasizes a trait belonging specifically to something.

adjective
uniquedistinctive

Examples

  • 独特。
    Zhè ge shè jì hěn dú tè.
    This design is very unique.
  • 独特。
    Tā yǒu yí tào dú tè de xué xí fāng fǎ.
    She has a unique study method.
  • 独特。
    Měi gè chéng shì dōu yǒu dú tè de wén huà.
    Every city has its unique culture.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

独dúalone
特tèspecial

独 and 特 both stress singularity, so together they mean unique or distinctive.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
犭Written in full as犬quǎn
Sound part声符shēngfú
蜀
蜀shǔ獨dú
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.

Open 独 →

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
牛牛niúox
Sound part声符shēngfú
寺
寺sì特tè
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The shape combines 牛 (ox) with 寺, which gives the pronunciation; it originally meant a large bull.

Open 特 →
Appears in
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