素昧平生 (sù mèi píng shēng) — (idiom) have never met before; be a complete stranger

Definition

Literary idiom meaning 'have never met (someone) before' — a formal, written alternative to plain 陌生. Use it for a stranger, often with a sense of distance or unfamiliarity.

idiom
have never met beforebe a complete stranger

Examples

  • 素昧平生
    Wǒ hé tā sù mèi píng shēng, dàn liáo dé hěn kāi xīn.
    I have never met him before, but we chatted happily.
  • 素昧平生
    Suī rán wǒ men sù mèi píng shēng, dàn wǒ fēi cháng xiāng xìn nǐ.
    Although we have never met before, I really trust you.
  • 素昧平生
    Tā yǔ nà wèi xiān sheng sù mèi píng shēng, bù kě néng yǒu hé zuò.
    He and that gentleman have never met before; it's impossible for them to cooperate.

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