# 无独有偶

wú dú yǒu ǒu

A similar instance turns out to exist elsewhere

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Not alone; there is a matching instance

**Traditional Chinese:** 無獨有偶

**Register:** General · spoken & written

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

## When to use it

Introduce a comparable occurrence, often an unexpected one.

Similarity does not establish a shared cause.

## The image & its use

A case first seems isolated, then another case appears that resembles it. The expression introduces this comparison compactly. It often has a mildly ironic tone when the repeated event is an error or an odd coincidence, though neutral uses occur too. Explain the matching feature so readers can assess the resemblance. Two similar results may arise independently, and the phrase itself does not prove that one copied the other or that both share a cause.

## Examples

无独有偶，另一班也选了同样的主题。

### Traditional Chinese

無獨有偶，另一班也選了同樣的主題。

wú dú yǒu ǒu ， lìng yì bān yě xuǎn le tóng yàng de zhǔ tí 。

Coincidentally, another class chose the same theme.

无独有偶，她也收藏这套邮票。

### Traditional Chinese

無獨有偶，她也收藏這套郵票。

wú dú yǒu ǒu ， tā yě shōu cáng zhè tào yóu piào 。

As it happens, she collects the same stamp series.

无独有偶，两份表格都有同一处遗漏。

### Traditional Chinese

無獨有偶，兩份表格都有同一處遺漏。

wú dú yǒu ǒu ， liǎng fèn biǎo gé dōu yǒu tóng yí chù yí lòu 。

The same omission appears in both forms.

无独有偶，邻城也开设了这个课程。

### Traditional Chinese

無獨有偶，鄰城也開設了這個課程。

wú dú yǒu ǒu ， lín chéng yě kāi shè le zhè ge kè chéng 。

A comparable course has also opened in the neighboring city.

## 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=1158&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E7%84%A1%E7%8D%A8%E6%9C%89%E5%81%B6)

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- [五花八门 wǔ huā bā mén Come in a bewildering variety ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wu-hua-ba-men)

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