# 迥然不同

jiǒng rán bù tóng

Be distinctly and markedly different

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Be different by a wide distance

**Register:** General · spoken & written

[Perspective](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/perspective)

## When to use it

Compare things whose main characteristics differ greatly.

Identify the relevant difference rather than exaggerating small variations.

## The image & its use

The expression places two things far apart in their qualities rather than in physical location alone. It suits a clear contrast between styles, environments, methods, or outcomes. The strength of the phrase exceeds a minor variation. Explain the feature that makes the contrast substantial, such as one method using discussion while another relies on independent practice. A precise comparison helps readers understand the difference without assuming that the two things have nothing at all in common.

## Examples

两位画家的风格迥然不同。

### Traditional Chinese

兩位畫家的風格迥然不同。

liǎng wèi huà jiā de fēng gé jiǒng rán bù tóng 。

The two painters have distinctly different styles.

这里的节奏与大城市迥然不同。

### Traditional Chinese

這裡的節奏與大城市迥然不同。

zhè lǐ de jié zòu yǔ dài chéng shì jiǒng rán bù tóng 。

The pace here differs markedly from that of a large city.

新旧课程的组织方式迥然不同。

### Traditional Chinese

新舊課程的組織方式迥然不同。

xīn jiù kè chéng de zǔ zhī fāng shì jiǒng rán bù tóng 。

The old and new courses are organized very differently.

目标相同，使用的方法却迥然不同。

### Traditional Chinese

目標相同，使用的方法卻迥然不同。

mù biāo xiāng tóng ， shǐ yòng de fāng fǎ què jiǒng rán bù tóng 。

The goal is shared, but the methods differ substantially.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 7, 2026.

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=1161&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E8%BF%A5%E7%84%B6%E4%B8%8D%E5%90%8C)

## Keep exploring

- [九牛一毛 jiǔ niú yī máo A negligible fraction of a vast whole ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/jiu-niu-yi-mao)

- [九霄云外 jiǔ xiāo yún wài Far beyond attention or recollection ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/jiu-xiao-yun-wai)

- [举一反三 jǔ yī fǎn sān Apply one example to other cases ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/ju-yi-fan-san)

- [绝无仅有 jué wú jǐn yǒu Exceptionally rare or unique ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/jue-wu-jin-you)

## Keep this one close.

Save useful idioms, read offline, and revisit them with flashcards in Almanac.

[View on the App Store ](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6819590452)

[Previous idiom 精益求精 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/jing-yi-qiu-jing) [Next idiom 九牛一毛 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/jiu-niu-yi-mao)