adjective phrase HSK 4
wán quán tóng
completely different · totally different · entirely different

Meaning

This phrase combines 完全 (completely) with 不同 (different) to emphasize a total lack of similarity between two or more things. It's used to stress that things are not just a little different, but fundamentally or entirely unlike each other.

Usage

Native speakers use this phrase frequently in both spoken and written Chinese to make strong comparisons. It often appears with 和/与/跟 (and/with) to compare two items explicitly, or with 的 to modify a noun. The emphasis on 完全 makes the statement more forceful than just saying 不同 alone.

Examples

  1. 01
    这两种文化完全不同
    Zhè liǎng zhǒng wén huà wán quán tóng.
    These two cultures are completely different.
  2. 02
    他的想法和我的完全不同
    de xiǎng de wán quán tóng.
    His ideas are completely different from mine.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 完全不同
    wán quán tóng de
    completely different (modifier)
  • 和...完全不同
    ... wán quán tóng
    completely different from...
  • 两者完全不同
    liǎng zhě wán quán tóng
    the two are completely different

Antonyms

Origin

完全 is a compound meaning 'complete/entire' formed from two characters both meaning 'whole.' Combined with 不同 (not same), it creates an emphatic phrase for total difference.

Related