Definition
门外汉 literally means 'person outside the gate' — it's a fixed expression for someone who knows nothing about a particular field or activity. You use it to describe yourself or others when they lack expertise in a specific area, like saying 'I'm a complete layman when it comes to computers.' It's a humble or honest self-assessment, not an insult.
n.
laymanoutsider (in a specific field or subject)
Examples
- 门外汉。Wǒ duì diànnǎo biānchéng wánquán shì mén wài hàn.I'm a complete layman when it comes to computer programming.
- ,门外汉。Zài yīnyuè fāngmiàn, tā zhǐshì yí ge mén wài hàn.In music, he's just a layman.
- ,门外汉。Bié wèn wǒ fǎlǜ wèntí, wǒ shì mén wài hàn.Don't ask me legal questions — I'm a layman.
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