别具一格 (bié jù yī gé) — to have a unique style; to be distinctive and original

Definition

Idiom praising a distinctive, original style — used for art, design, writing, or anything creative with its own character. Stronger and more literary than simply saying 风格独特.

idiom
to have a unique styleto be distinctive and original

Examples

  • 别具一格，。
    Zhè zuò jiàn zhù de shè jì bié jù yī gé, ràng rén yìn xiàng shēn kè.
    The design of this building is unique and leaves a deep impression.
  • 别具一格，。
    Tā de huà fēng bié jù yī gé, zài yì shù jiè hěn yǒu míng.
    His painting style is distinctive and well-known in the art world.
  • 别具一格，。
    Zhè bù diàn yǐng de xù shì fāng shì bié jù yī gé, zhí dé yí kàn.
    This film's narrative style is unique and worth watching.

Origin

Characters in this word

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 別; 别 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 別 pairs 冎 (bone) with 刀 (knife), showing a knife cutting up bone and flesh. The simplified 别 is a shorthand, so its parts are not the historical components.

Open 别 →

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

具 pairs 廾 (two hands) with 鼎 (a cauldron), showing hands working with a cauldron to prepare food.

Open 具 →

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 →

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
木木mùwood
Sound part声符shēngfú
各
各gè格gé
Same sound today

格 is built from 木 (wood) on the left and 各 on the right, which gives the sound.

Open 格 →

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