大同小异

dà tóng xiǎo yì

HSK 3.0 Level 7 Rare

Definitions

1. virtually the same
2. differing only on small points

Word relationships

Antonyms

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• 千差万别 qiān chā wàn bié 千差万别 qiān chā wàn bié (idiom) extremely diverse vastly different; entirely unalike: (idiom) extremely diverse

Related words

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• 如出一辙 rú chū yī zhé 如出一辙 rú chū yī zhé to be precisely the same to be exactly the same as if following the same track: to be precisely the same

Synonyms

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• 殊途同归 shū tú tóng guī 殊途同归 shū tú tóng guī different routes to the same destination (idiom); fig. different means of achieve the same end used for describing results or endings that are essentially the same: different routes to the same destination (idiom); fig. different means of achieve the same end

Usage notes

Common mistakes

Don't use 大同小异 to describe identical things; it implies minor differences exist.

Formality

This idiom is neutral and used in both spoken and written contexts.

Example Sentences

1 shown

这两种方案 大同小异 。

These two plans are largely the same with minor differences.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 大同小异

• 同 同 tóng: like
• 大 大 dà: big; large; great
• 大 大 dài: see 大夫[dài fu]
• 小 小 xiǎo: small
• 同 同 tòng: see 衚衕|胡同[hú tòng]
• 大同 大同 dà tóng: (Confucianism) Great Harmony (concept of an ideal society)
• 异 异 yì: different