sù素originallybù不notxiāng相mutuallyshí识know
Never met before; completely unacquainted.
Literal meaning
originally (素) — not (不) — mutually (相) — know (识)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase describing people who have no prior acquaintance.
Examples
Wǒ我men们sù素bù不xiāng相shí识，dàn但tā他què却bāng帮zhù助le了wǒ我。
We had never met before, but he helped me.
Tā他men们sù素bù不xiāng相shí识，què却yī一jiàn见rú如gù故。
They were complete strangers, but they felt like old friends at first sight.
Usage & nuances
Emphasizes the lack of any prior connection or relationship.
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