独门

獨門
dúmén
adjective #34,269

Meanings

  1. 1 unique to one person or family (skill, recipe, technique)
  2. 2 exclusive; one-of-a-kind
  3. 3 (of a residence) single-entrance / not shared

Examples

HSK 7-9
Zhè shì tā jiā de dúmén juéjì.
This is his family's unique signature skill.
HSK 7-9
Zhè dào cài shì nǎinai de dúmén mìfāng.
This dish is grandma's exclusive secret recipe.

Tips

usage
Most common in fixed combinations: 独门绝技 (unique signature skill), 独门秘方 (exclusive secret formula), 独门生意 (a business no one else has). Strong wuxia-novel and traditional-craft flavor - kung fu schools and old family restaurants are typical settings.
memory
(alone / sole - as in 独立 independent) + (gate / school / lineage - same as in 武术门派 'martial arts school'). Together: 'sole school / single house' = a technique kept inside one lineage.

Stroke Order

mén