一斑 (yī bān) — one spot; a small part that hints at the whole (chiefly in the set phrase 可见一斑)

Definition

Examples

• 从他的反应，可见一斑。
  Cóng tā de fǎn yìng, kě jiàn yī bān.
  From his reaction, one can see a small part of the whole picture.
• 这件事虽然小，但可见一斑。
  Zhè jiàn shì suī rán xiǎo, dàn kě jiàn yī bān.
  Although this matter is small, it reveals a glimpse of the bigger situation.
• 只看一斑，就能猜到全貌。
  Zhī kàn yī bān, jiù néng cāi dào quán mào.
  Just by seeing one spot, you can guess the whole picture.

Origin