独具 (dú jù) — to uniquely possess (a distinctive quality, talent, or style)

Definition

A formal written verb meaning 'to uniquely possess' a quality or style (e.g. 独具慧眼, 独具匠心). Almost always followed by a noun naming the quality, not used in everyday speech.

verb
to uniquely possess (a distinctive quality, talent, or style)

Examples

  • 独具。
    Zhè wèi shè jì shī de zuò pǐn dú jù jiàng xīn.
    This designer's works uniquely display ingenuity.
  • ，。
    Tā dú jù huì yǎn, fā xiàn le zhè ge rén cái.
    He has unique insight and discovered this talent.
  • 独具。
    Zhè jiā cān tīng de cài yáo dú jù fēng wèi.
    This restaurant's dishes have a unique flavor.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

独dúuniquely
具jùpossess

独 means uniquely and 具 means possess; together they mean to uniquely possess a quality or talent.

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 →

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 →

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