shǐ史historywú无withoutqián前beforelì例precedent
Unprecedented; never happened before in history.
Literal meaning
history (史) — without (无) — before (前) — precedent (例)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase to describe something that has never occurred before.
Examples
Zhè这cì次de的jīng经jì济wēi危jī机shì是shǐ史wú无qián前lì例de的。
This economic crisis is unprecedented.
Zhè这xiàng项jì技shù术tú突pò破shì是shǐ史wú无qián前lì例de的。
This technological breakthrough is unprecedented.
Usage & nuances
Used to emphasize the uniqueness of an event or situation.
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