素未谋面

素未謀面

sùwèimóumiàn

idiom

Meanings

1 to have never met
2 to be complete strangers
3 to have no prior acquaintance

Characters

always, from the start; plain

to plan, to arrange

face; to meet face to face

Examples

我们虽然素未谋面，但通过书信已经成了好朋友。

Wǒmen suīrán sùwèimóumiàn, dàn tōngguò shūxìn yǐjīng chéng le hǎo péngyou.

Although we've never met, we've become good friends through letters.

他竟然愿意帮一个素未谋面的陌生人，真让人感动。

Tā jìngrán yuànyì bāng yí ge sùwèimóumiàn de mòshēng rén, zhēn ràng rén gǎndòng.

He was actually willing to help a complete stranger he had never met — truly moving.

两人素未谋面，却在网上聊了整整三年。

Liǎng rén sùwèimóumiàn, què zài wǎngshàng liáo le zhěngzhěng sān nián.

The two had never met in person, yet they had chatted online for a full three years.

Tips

usage

Classic way to describe pen pals, online friends, or someone you know only by reputation. Pairs naturally with 却 or 但 to contrast with closeness: '素未谋面, 却...'

grammar

素 here is an adverb meaning 'always, from the start'; 未 is a literary negative ('have not yet'). 谋面 = 'arrange to meet face to face.'

Stroke Order

素 sù

未 wèi

谋 móu

面 miàn