素不相识

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: sù bù xiāng shí
• English Translation: To be complete strangers, having no acquaintance with each other at all
• Idiom Composition: 「素」（Originally, ordinarily）＋「不」（Not）＋「相」（Mutually, each other）＋「识」（To know, to recognize）
• Meaning: Describes a state where two people are originally unacquainted and have no knowledge of each other. It means being complete strangers who know nothing about one another.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「素不相识」 contains the following nuances:

• Complete lack of connection: Indicates that there has been no prior contact and the parties know nothing about each other.
• First meeting: Refers to meeting for the first time or having no previous encounters.
• Sense of distance: Implies that the individuals are strangers to each other, with a psychological distance between them.

3. Usage

「素不相识」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Describing relationships: Used to explain that two people are complete strangers to each other.
  • Example:「他们两人素不相识，却因为一个偶然的机会相遇了。」
    （The two of them were complete strangers, but they met by a chance encounter.）
• Describing situations: Used to depict situations where people are strangers to each other.
  • Example:「在这个陌生的城市里，每个人都素不相识。」
    （In this unfamiliar city, everyone is a complete stranger to one another.）
• Emphasizing unexpectedness: Sometimes used to emphasize unexpected situations, such as strangers helping each other.
  • Example:「尽管我们素不相识，他还是毫不犹豫地帮助了我。」
    （Although we were complete strangers, he helped me without hesitation.）

Additional Examples:

1. 我和他素不相识，不知道他为什么突然来找我。
   （He and I are complete strangers, and I don't know why he suddenly came to see me.）
2. 在这次旅行中，我结识了许多素不相识的朋友。
   （During this trip, I met many friends who were previously complete strangers.）
3. 虽然我们素不相识，但我相信我们可以成为好朋友。
   （Although we are complete strangers, I believe we can become good friends.）
4. 即使是素不相识的人，在危难时刻也应该互相帮助。
   （Even if people are complete strangers, they should help each other in times of crisis.）
5. 他们素不相识，却因为共同的爱好走到了一起。
   （They were complete strangers, but they came together because of a shared hobby.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Emphasis on relationships: In Chinese culture, interpersonal relationships are highly valued, and new connections are often built through acquaintances. The idiom '素不相识' clearly expresses a relationship with no prior connection.
• Meaning of '素': The character '素' means 'originally' or 'ordinarily,' emphasizing a temporal distance or that the parties have been unacquainted from the beginning.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 萍水相逢 (píng shuǐ xiāng féng): To meet by chance, like floating grass meeting water.
  • 陌路相逢 (mò lù xiāng féng): To encounter a stranger by chance on the road.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 知根知底 (zhī gēn zhī dǐ): To know each other well and be able to speak frankly.

6. Summary

'素不相识' is an important expression in Chinese culture, which highly values interpersonal relationships, clearly indicating a relationship with no prior connection. Understanding this idiom helps deepen your grasp of how relationships are expressed in Chinese. It is also effective for describing encounters with strangers and the new relationships that arise from them.