与众不同
Different from others
Literally: 与 (with/from) 众 (the masses/crowd) 不 (not) 同 (the same)
Use this to compliment someone's unique style or an idea that truly stands out from the norm.
In 15 Seconds
- Describes someone or something that is unique and stands out.
- Literally means 'not the same as the crowd'.
- Used as a positive compliment for style, ideas, or personality.
Meaning
This phrase is used to describe someone or something that stands out from the crowd. It’s that 'special something' that makes a person, an idea, or even a coffee shop feel unique and one-of-a-kind.
Key Examples
3 of 6Complimenting a friend's fashion sense
你的穿衣风格真的很与众不同。
Your style of dress is truly unique.
In a business meeting discussing a new project
我们需要一个与众不同的营销方案。
We need a marketing plan that stands out from the rest.
Texting a crush
在我眼里，你是那么的与众不同。
In my eyes, you are so special.
Cultural Background
While traditional Chinese culture often emphasizes 'fitting in' (he), this idiom highlights the growing modern appreciation for individuality. It originated from classical literature but has become a staple in modern marketing and social media to describe 'cool' or 'alternative' lifestyles. It represents a positive spin on being an outlier in a society of 1.4 billion people.
The 'Very' Rule
Even though it's a four-character idiom (chengyu), it behaves like a normal adjective. You can almost always put '很' (hěn) in front of it to say 'very unique'.
Unique vs. Strange
Be careful! If someone is being genuinely weird or creepy, use '奇怪' (qíguài). Using '与众不同' might sound like you are sarcastically praising their weirdness.
In 15 Seconds
- Describes someone or something that is unique and stands out.
- Literally means 'not the same as the crowd'.
- Used as a positive compliment for style, ideas, or personality.
What It Means
与众不同 is all about individuality. It describes a quality that separates someone from the average person. Think of it as the 'X-factor.' If everyone is wearing black and you show up in neon yellow, you are 与众不同. It’s usually a compliment. It suggests you have a distinct style or a fresh perspective.
How To Use It
You can use it as an adjective. Usually, you’ll see it after 很 (very) or 非常 (extremely). For example, 他的想法很与众不同 means his ideas are very unique. You can also use it to describe a person's character or a product's design. It’s a very flexible phrase. It fits into sentences smoothly like a standard adjective.
When To Use It
Use it when you want to praise someone’s creativity. It’s perfect for a job interview when describing your strengths. Use it when texting a friend about a cool new art gallery. It works well in romantic contexts too. Telling someone they are 与众不同 is a high-tier compliment. It means you see them as special, not just another face in the crowd.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this if someone is just being 'weird' or 'annoying.' If your friend is eating cereal with orange juice, that's just strange. 与众不同 carries a sense of elegance or positive distinction. Also, avoid using it for negative outliers. If a car is broken and making loud noises, it’s not 与众不同; it’s just broken. Keep it for things that deserve a bit of admiration.
Cultural Background
In many East Asian cultures, there is a proverb: 'The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.' However, modern Chinese society is changing. People now value personal branding and unique identities. 与众不同 reflects this shift. It celebrates the courage to be yourself. It’s a bridge between traditional group harmony and modern individualism. It’s a very 'cool' phrase to use today.
Common Variations
You might hear 独一无二, which means 'one of a kind.' That’s a bit stronger than 与众不同. There is also 出类拔萃, which means 'standing out from the crowd' but usually refers to talent or skill. 与众不同 is more about general vibe and style. If you want to sound a bit more casual, you can just say 特别 (special). But 与众不同 adds a touch of sophistication to your Chinese.
Usage Notes
This is a neutral-to-formal idiom that is extremely common in spoken Chinese. It functions as a predicate adjective. It is almost always positive, so avoid using it to describe negative traits or 'weird' behavior unless you are being intentionally ironic.
The 'Very' Rule
Even though it's a four-character idiom (chengyu), it behaves like a normal adjective. You can almost always put '很' (hěn) in front of it to say 'very unique'.
Unique vs. Strange
Be careful! If someone is being genuinely weird or creepy, use '奇怪' (qíguài). Using '与众不同' might sound like you are sarcastically praising their weirdness.
The Power of 'Zhong'
The character '众' (zhòng) looks like three people standing together. It literally represents a crowd. This phrase is visually about stepping away from those three people!
Examples
6你的穿衣风格真的很与众不同。
Your style of dress is truly unique.
Here it highlights a positive, individualistic aesthetic.
我们需要一个与众不同的营销方案。
We need a marketing plan that stands out from the rest.
Used to emphasize the need for creativity and competitive edge.
在我眼里，你是那么的与众不同。
In my eyes, you are so special.
A very sweet and common way to express romantic interest.
这家餐厅的设计风格与众不同，很有意思。
This restaurant's design is quite unique and very interesting.
Describes a physical space that doesn't look like typical chains.
他的爱好确实有点与众不同，他喜欢收集旧报纸。
His hobby is certainly a bit out of the ordinary; he likes collecting old newspapers.
A slightly humorous but polite way to describe a niche interest.
王先生在处理问题方面有着与众不同的见解。
Mr. Wang has unique insights when it comes to problem-solving.
Formal usage to highlight a candidate's specific strengths.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct phrase to complete the sentence about a unique artist.
这位艺术家的作品风格___，让人印象深刻。
`与众不同` (unique) fits the context of an impressive artist, unlike `一模一样` (identical) or `平平无奇` (mediocre).
How would you describe a phone with a design that looks like nothing else on the market?
这部手机的外观设计非常___。
`与众不同` means it stands out, whereas `大众化` (popular/mass-market) and `普通` (ordinary) imply it looks like everything else.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality and Usage Context
Talking to friends about a cool movie or a weird snack.
这电影挺与众不同的。
Daily conversations, social media posts, or reviews.
她的气质很与众不同。
Business pitches or academic descriptions of unique traits.
本产品具有与众不同的竞争优势。
Where to use 与众不同
Fashion & Style
Unique outfits
Innovation
New business ideas
Personality
A friend's quirky character
Art & Design
A striking building
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, in 95% of cases, it is a positive compliment. It suggests that the person has a special quality or a unique charm that others lack.
Absolutely. You can use it for a 手机 (phone), a 房子 (house), or even a 味道 (flavor) that is unique and pleasant.
特别 (tèbié) just means 'special' or 'unusual.' 与众不同 is more descriptive—it specifically contrasts the subject with the 'crowd' or 'masses.'
Not at all. While it's a Chengyu, it's very common in daily life. Texting 你真的很与众不同 is a very natural way to flirt or compliment a friend.
You can, but be careful not to sound arrogant. It's better to say 我想做一个与众不同的人 (I want to be a unique person) rather than just 'I am better than everyone.'
A good opposite would be 平淡无奇 (píngdàn wúqí), which means ordinary and unexciting, or 大众化 (dàzhònghuà), meaning mass-market/common.
Yes, the phrase is a fixed set. You cannot say '众不同' or '与众同'. It must be the full four characters to make sense.
Usually no. If a movie is uniquely bad, you wouldn't use this. You'd just say it's 难看 (ugly/bad) or 奇葩 (weird/freakish).
Very often! Companies use it to describe their 核心竞争力 (core competitiveness) or why their product is better than the competition.
If you want to go even further, use 独一无二 (dú yī wú èr), which means 'the one and only' or 'peerless.'
Related Phrases
独一无二
One of a kind; unique
出类拔萃
Stand out from the crowd (usually regarding talent)
别具一格
Have a unique style (often used for art/architecture)
标新立异
To start something new and different (sometimes implies being different just for the sake of it)
Comments (0)
Login to CommentStart learning languages for free
Start Learning Free