门外汉 (mén wài hàn) — layman, outsider (in a specific field or subject)
Definition
Literally 'person outside the door' — a non-expert who lacks knowledge in a specific field. Use to humbly disclaim expertise in an area, not as a general insult.
noun
laymanoutsider (in a specific field or subject)
Examples
- 门外汉。Wǒ duì diàn nǎo biān chéng wán quán shì mén wài hàn.I'm a complete layman when it comes to computer programming.
- ，门外汉。Zài yīn yuè fāng miàn, tā zhǐ shì yí gè mén wài hàn.In music, he's just a layman.
- ，门外汉。Bié wèn wǒ fǎ lǜ wèn tí, wǒ shì mén wài hàn.Don't ask me legal questions — I'm a layman.
Appears in
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.