one-of-a-kind item / unique person
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one-of-a-kind item
An object or work of which there is only one single copy. It is therefore unique and not reproduced.
Dieses handgemalte Bild ist ein Unikat und daher besonders wertvoll.
This hand-painted picture is a one-of-a-kind item and therefore especially valuable.
unique person
In a figurative sense, a person who is very special, original, and unmistakable because of their character, behavior, or manner.
Mit seinen bunten Hemden und lustigen Geschichten ist unser Onkel ein echtes Unikat.
With his colorful shirts and funny stories, our uncle is a truly unique person.
'Unikat' comes from the Latin word 'unus', which means 'one'. An 'Unikat' is therefore literally a 'single piece'. This origin helps you understand the meaning of uniqueness.
Jede ihrer handgefertigten Vasen ist ein Unikat.
Each of her handmade vases is a one-of-a-kind item.
In its main meaning, the word is almost always used for objects from the fields of art, design, or craft. It emphasizes that something was not mass-produced.
Der Schmuckdesigner stellt nur Unikate her.
The jewelry designer makes only one-of-a-kind pieces.
When a person is described as an 'Unikat' (unique person), this is a figurative, usually positive and appreciative description. It means that the person has a very original and unmistakable character.
Unsere Großmutter war mit ihrer Energie und ihrem Humor ein echtes Unikat.
With her energy and humor, our grandmother was a truly unique person.
original
The adjective original indicates that an object is genuine and not a copy. An Unikat, by contrast, is an object or work of which only one example exists. A work can therefore be original without being an Unikat; Unikat is the appropriate term when you want to emphasize its uniqueness.
Dieses Bild ist ein Unikat und wurde nur ein einziges Mal geschaffen.
This painting is one of a kind and was created only once.
Das Bild ist original und keine Kopie des bekannten Gemäldes.
The painting is original and not a copy of the famous artwork.
