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另当别论 (lìng dāng bié lùn) — (fixed expression) a different matter; something that should be regarded as a separate case

Definition

Idiom used to set a case apart from the rule just stated — 'a different matter / a separate case.' Usually follows a contrast like 但 or 然而 to mark an exception.

idiom
(fixed expression) a different mattersomething that should be regarded as a separate case

Examples

  • 另当别论，。
    Yì liǎng cì kǎo shì bù jí gé lìng dāng bié lùn, dàn yì zhí bù nǔ lì jiù chéng wèn tí le.
    Failing one or two exams is a different matter, but if you never work hard, it becomes a real problem.
  • ，另当别论。
    Píng shí wǒ bù chī tián shí, dàn shēng rì dàn gāo lìng dāng bié lùn.
    I usually don't eat sweets, but birthday cake is a different story.
  • ，另当别论。
    Pǔ tōng yóu kè kě yǐ jìn rù, dàn méi tǐ rén yuán lìng dāng bié lùn.
    Regular visitors can enter, but media personnel are a separate matter.

Origin

Characters in this word

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Open 另 →

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 當; 当 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
田田tiánfield
Sound part声符shēngfú
尚
尚shàng當dāng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 當 combines 田 (field) with 尚; the evidence describes fields facing each other.

Open 当 →

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 →

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 論; 论 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yánsay
Sound part声符shēngfú
侖
侖lún論lùn
Same sound today

The traditional form 論 pairs 言 (“say”) with 侖 as a sound component; the simplified 论 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the historical parts.

Open 论 →
Appears in
Idioms & Set Phrases

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