素不相识

sù bù xiāng shí

HSK 3.0 Level 7 Rare

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Definitions

1. to be total strangers (idiom)

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Word relationships

Synonyms

1 item

• 素昧平生 sù mèi píng shēng 素昧平生 sù mèi píng shēng to have never met sb before (idiom); entirely unacquainted Both idioms mean to have never met and be total strangers.: to have never met sb before (idiom); entirely unacquainted

Usage notes

Common mistakes

Do not use 素不相识 to mean 'unfamiliar with a topic'; it specifically refers to not knowing a person.

Formality

素不相识 is a formal, literary idiom used in written Chinese or elevated speech to describe complete strangers.

Example Sentences

1 shown

我们 素不相识 ，却聊得很开心。

We were total strangers, yet we had a pleasant chat.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 素不相识

• 不 不 bù: no; not so
• 相识 相识 xiāng shí: to get to know each other
• 素 素 sù: raw silk
• 识 识 shí: to know
• 识 识 zhì: to record
• 相 相 xiāng: each other
• 相 相 xiàng: appearance