Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 유일무이(唯一無二)하다 | yuilmu'ihada |
| 유일(唯一)하다 | yuilhada |
| 독특(獨特)하다 | dokteukhada |
| 희한(稀罕)하다 | huihanhada |
The expression 유일무이(唯一無二)하다 is a formal and highly emphatic way to say something is one of a kind. You might see this used in literature, formal speeches or when describing legendary figures and unprecedented events.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 유일무이(唯一無二)하다 is a four-character idiom where 유일 means 'only one' and 무이 means 'no second'.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word changes the nuance significantly. While 유일무이하다 implies there is literally nothing else like the object in existence, 독특(獨特)하다 is used more broadly to mean something is distinctive, peculiar or has a unique style. If you want to describe something that is unique because it is surprising, odd or strange, use 희한(稀罕)하다.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 유일(唯一)하다 acts as an adjective to describe a single, specific thing, such as 'the only survivor', whereas 유일무이(唯一無二)하다 provides much stronger emphasis on the absolute uniqueness of the object.
How do you pronounce it?
yuilmu'ihada
Did you know?
- While an English speaker might use 'unique' to describe a stylish outfit, using 유일무이(唯一無二)하다 to describe a shirt would sound like you are describing a divine relic or a legendary artifact.
- Using 독특(獨特)하다 to describe a person can be a clever, polite way to call them 'eccentric' without being overtly rude.
- The character 稀 in 희한(稀罕)하다 is the same character used in the word for 'diluted' or 'thin' in other contexts, referring to something spread thin and rare.
Examples in context
- 그 회의는 독특한 주제들을 다루었습니다.That meeting dealt with unique topics.
- 그는 특이한 능력을 가지고 있습니다.He has unique abilities.
- 그 옷은 정말 유니크한 스타일이에요.That outfit has a really unique style.
- 그 영화는 독보적인 캐스팅으로 유명합니다.That movie is famous for its unique casting.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “unique” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
