Meaning and Usage
The idiom 断章取义 (duànzhāng-qǔyì) literally means "cutting a passage and taking its meaning." It refers to the act of quoting or interpreting a statement by taking a fragment out of its original context, thereby distorting the intended meaning.
Common Contexts
This phrase is often used in discussions about misunderstandings, misquotations, or biased interpretations, especially in media, debates, or everyday conversations where someone's words are misrepresented.
Typical Collocations
- 断章取义的话 (words taken out of context): highlights the problematic nature of the quote.
- 被断章取义 (to be taken out of context): passive form indicating someone’s words were misused.
- 断章取义地解释 (to explain by taking out of context): describes the act of misinterpretation.
Usage Notes
Using 断章取义 implies criticism of the person who distorts the meaning. It is a formal or semi-formal expression often found in written or spoken Chinese when addressing fairness and accuracy in communication. Avoid confusing it with simple quoting; the key is the distortion caused by ignoring the full context.
Meaning and Usage
The idiom 断章取义 (duànzhāng-qǔyì) literally means "cutting a passage and taking its meaning." It refers to the act of quoting or interpreting a statement by taking a fragment out of its original context, thereby distorting the intended meaning.
Common Contexts
This phrase is often used in discussions about misunderstandings, misquotations, or biased interpretations, especially in media, debates, or everyday conversations where someone's words are misrepresented.
Typical Collocations
- 断章取义的话 (words taken out of context): highlights the problematic nature of the quote.
- 被断章取义 (to be taken out of context): passive form indicating someone’s words were misused.
- 断章取义地解释 (to explain by taking out of context): describes the act of misinterpretation.
Usage Notes
Using 断章取义 implies criticism of the person who distorts the meaning. It is a formal or semi-formal expression often found in written or spoken Chinese when addressing fairness and accuracy in communication. Avoid confusing it with simple quoting; the key is the distortion caused by ignoring the full context.
Meaning and Usage
The idiom 断章取义 (duànzhāng-qǔyì) literally means "cutting a passage and taking its meaning." It refers to the act of quoting or interpreting a statement by taking a fragment out of its original context, thereby distorting the intended meaning.
Common Contexts
This phrase is often used in discussions about misunderstandings, misquotations, or biased interpretations, especially in media, debates, or everyday conversations where someone's words are misrepresented.
Typical Collocations
- 断章取义的话 (words taken out of context): highlights the problematic nature of the quote.
- 被断章取义 (to be taken out of context): passive form indicating someone’s words were misused.
- 断章取义地解释 (to explain by taking out of context): describes the act of misinterpretation.
Usage Notes
Using 断章取义 implies criticism of the person who distorts the meaning. It is a formal or semi-formal expression often found in written or spoken Chinese when addressing fairness and accuracy in communication. Avoid confusing it with simple quoting; the key is the distortion caused by ignoring the full context.