# 绝无仅有

jué wú jǐn yǒu

Exceptionally rare or unique

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** None elsewhere, only this one

**Traditional Chinese:** 絕無僅有

**Register:** Standard · expressive

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

## When to use it

Emphasize a strikingly unusual occurrence.

Strong wording; avoid unsupported claims of uniqueness.

## Understanding the expression

The words imagine something with no counterpart elsewhere and only a single instance here. In conversation the phrase often emphasizes extreme rarity rather than a verified global count. It can describe an unusual achievement, opportunity, or feature. Its strength should match the evidence, especially in factual writing or advertising. Something uncommon in one person’s experience may still be common elsewhere, so a stated scope can make the claim more accurate.

## Examples

这样的机会绝无仅有。

### Traditional Chinese

這樣的機會絕無僅有。

zhè yàng de jī huì jué wú jǐn yǒu 。

Such an opportunity is extraordinarily rare.

全班满分，在校史上绝无仅有。

### Traditional Chinese

全班滿分，在校史上絕無僅有。

quán bān mǎn fēn ， zài xiào shǐ shàng jué wú jǐn yǒu 。

A whole class receiving full marks is unique in the school’s history.

这件孤本在馆藏中绝无仅有。

### Traditional Chinese

這件孤本在館藏中絕無僅有。

zhè jiàn gū běn zài guǎn cáng zhōng jué wú jǐn yǒu 。

This sole surviving edition is unique in the museum’s collection.

他以为这种经历绝无仅有，其实并非如此。

### Traditional Chinese

他以為這種經歷絕無僅有，其實並非如此。

tā yǐ wéi zhè zhǒng jīng lì jué wú jǐn yǒu ， qí shí bìng fēi rú cǐ 。

He thought the experience was unique, but it was not.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E7%B5%95%E7%84%A1%E5%83%85%E6%9C%89)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=756&webMd=1&la=0)

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