管窥蠡测
管窥蠡测 (guǎn kuī lí cè) literally means “tube view gourd measure” and expresses “limited perspective on vast subject”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning.
Also searched as: guan kui li ce, guan kui li ce,管窥蠡测 meaning, 管窥蠡测 in english
Limited perspective on vast subject
Pronunciation: guǎn kuī lí cè Literal meaning: Tube view gourd measure
Origin & Usage
Dongfang Shuo, deflecting a challenge, wrote of looking at the sky through a tube (管窥) and measuring the sea with a gourd dipper (蠡测). Both instruments work: the tube does show sky and the ladle does hold water, which is exactly why the error is worth naming — the method returns a real answer to a question far larger than it can address. The phrase is used self-deprecatingly to preface an opinion, and it is a standard modesty formula in Chinese academic writing.
Examples
English: "The limited study provided only a narrow perspective on the complex social phenomenon"
Chinese: 这项有限的研究仅提供了对这一复杂社会现象的片面看法
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 管窥蠡测 mean in English?
管窥蠡测 (guǎn kuī lí cè) literally translates to “Tube view gourd measure” and is used to express “Limited perspective on vast subject”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 管窥蠡测 used?
Situation: The limited study provided only a narrow perspective on the complex social phenomenon
What is the pinyin for 管窥蠡测?
The pinyin pronunciation for 管窥蠡测 is “guǎn kuī lí cè”.
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