难得一见

• Pinyin: nán dé yī jiàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 难 = difficult/rare; 得 = 彳(walk) + 旦(dawn) + 寸(measure) — to obtain; 一 = one (numeral); 见 = 目(eye) + 儿(legs) — a person looking, to see

Meaning

Rare to see; seldom encountered; something exceptionally uncommon or hard to come across.

Used to highlight the rarity of an event, person, or phenomenon. Often carries a sense of appreciation or awe. Can be used for natural events, talented individuals, cultural experiences, or extraordinary historical moments.

Examples

1. 两位顶级音乐家同台演奏的机会实属难得一见，票一开售就被抢购一空。 It’s extremely rare to see two top-tier musicians perform on the same stage, so tickets sold out the moment they went on sale.
2. 这场极光秀持续了近三个小时，如此壮观而漫长的景象在极地地区也是难得一见。 This aurora display lasted nearly three hours; such a spectacular and long-lasting sight is rare even in polar regions.
3. 能在同一个历史时期涌现出如此多的杰出学者，在中国近代学术史上实属难得一见。 To have so many outstanding scholars emerge in the same historical period is exceptionally rare in the history of modern Chinese scholarship.

Usage Guide

Context: nature, arts, events, people, travel

Tone: appreciative/emphatic

Do Say

• 这位百岁老人身体硬朗、思维敏捷，如此高龄仍保持如此状态实属难得一见，令所有探访者深感敬佩。(This centenarian is physically robust and mentally sharp — maintaining such a state of health at such an advanced age is truly a rare sight, deeply admired by all who visit.)
• 如此晴朗的冬日里看到满山遍野的红叶，实属难得一见的自然美景，吸引了众多摄影爱好者前来记录。(Seeing hillsides blanketed in red leaves on such a clear winter's day is a rare natural spectacle, drawing many photography enthusiasts to capture the moment.)

Don't Say

• 把'难得一见'用于极为普通或常见的事物 (难得一见 implies something genuinely uncommon or rare — using it for everyday occurrences would feel exaggerated or ironic)

Origin & History

难得(hard to obtain/rare) + 一(one) + 见(to see). Together meaning 'hard to come across even once' — emphasising the extreme rarity of an occurrence

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal