# 少见多怪

shǎo jiàn duō guài

Make a fuss because something is unfamiliar

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** See little and find much strange

**Traditional Chinese:** 少見多怪

**Register:** General · spoken & written

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

## When to use it

Comment on surprise that comes from limited experience.

Often dismissive; a newcomer may have a reasonable question.

## The image & its use

A visitor may be amazed by an ordinary feature of a place simply because it is new to them. The expression points to that gap in experience: unfamiliarity can make a common thing seem extraordinary. It can be used lightly about oneself after learning more. Directed at another person, however, it may sound impatient or belittling. A welcoming explanation often works better. When using the phrase, distinguish harmless surprise from a question that deserves careful attention.

## Examples

这是我第一次看见这种设计，真是少见多怪了。

### Traditional Chinese

這是我第一次看見這種設計，真是少見多怪了。

zhè shì wǒ dì yī cì kàn jiàn zhè zhǒng shè jì ， zhēn shì shǎo jiàn duō guài liǎo 。

It was my first time seeing that design; my surprise showed my limited experience.

了解当地习惯后，他笑自己少见多怪。

### Traditional Chinese

瞭解當地習慣後，他笑自己少見多怪。

liǎo jiě dāng dì xí guàn hòu ， tā xiào zì jǐ shǎo jiàn duō guài 。

After learning the local custom, he laughed at his own unnecessary surprise.

别说新人少见多怪，先解释一下就好。

### Traditional Chinese

別說新人少見多怪，先解釋一下就好。

bié shuō xīn rén shǎo jiàn duō guài ， xiān jiě shì yí xià jiù hǎo 。

Rather than dismissing the newcomer's surprise, explain it first.

以前我对这种植物少见多怪，现在已经认识它了。

### Traditional Chinese

以前我對這種植物少見多怪，現在已經認識它了。

yǐ qián wǒ duì zhè zhǒng zhí wù shǎo jiàn duō guài ， xiàn zài yǐ jīng rèn shi tā le 。

I used to marvel at that unfamiliar plant, but now I know it.

## 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=1190&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%B0%91%E8%A6%8B%E5%A4%9A%E6%80%AA)

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