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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.
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