盲人摸象
See only part of picture
Literalmente: Blind people touch elephant
Use this to describe someone forming a biased opinion based on limited, one-sided information.
En 15 segundos
- Judging the whole based on a small, incomplete part.
- Missing the big picture by focusing on one detail.
- A warning against narrow-mindedness and jumping to conclusions.
Significado
Imagine several blind people touching different parts of an elephant and arguing about what it is. This phrase describes making a judgment based on a tiny piece of information while missing the big picture.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Discussing a new movie after only seeing the trailer
只看预告片就评价这部电影，简直是盲人摸象。
Judging this movie just by the trailer is like the blind men touching the elephant.
In a business meeting about a complex problem
我们不能盲人摸象，必须了解整个市场的需求。
We can't be like the blind men touching the elephant; we must understand the whole market's needs.
Texting a friend who is gossiping about someone they barely know
你对他还不了解，别盲人摸象。
You don't know him well yet, don't jump to conclusions based on one thing.
Contexto cultural
The phrase originates from the Buddhist 'Nirvana Sutra' and has been a part of Chinese culture for centuries. It highlights the philosophical importance of holistic understanding over fragmented perception. It is one of the most common 'Chengyu' (four-character idioms) taught to children to encourage critical thinking.
Softening the Blow
If you want to tell someone they are wrong without being rude, add '有点' (a bit) before the phrase. Say '你这样有点盲人摸象' to sound more like a helpful friend.
Literal vs. Figurative
Never use this to describe actual blindness. It is strictly for intellectual 'blindness' or lack of perspective.
En 15 segundos
- Judging the whole based on a small, incomplete part.
- Missing the big picture by focusing on one detail.
- A warning against narrow-mindedness and jumping to conclusions.
What It Means
This idiom describes a classic human mistake. You see one small detail and think you know everything. One person touches the trunk and says it's a snake. Another touches the leg and says it's a tree. They are all right about the detail, but totally wrong about the whole. It is about the danger of narrow perspectives.
How To Use It
You use it when someone is being too quick to judge. It usually functions as a noun or a verb phrase in a sentence. You can say someone is doing 盲人摸象. It is a gentle way to tell someone they are missing the point. Don't use it to call someone stupid. Use it to say their view is just incomplete.
When To Use It
Use it in a meeting when a colleague blames the whole project on one tiny bug. Use it with friends when they judge a new person after one awkward hello. It is perfect for those 'Wait, there is more to the story' moments. It works well when discussing complex news or social issues. It shows you are a deep thinker who values the full context.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using it when someone is actually visually impaired. That would be very awkward and insensitive. Also, don't use it for simple, obvious facts. If someone says the sun is hot, don't call them a blind man touching an elephant. It is for complex situations, not basic truths. Avoid it in high-stakes legal arguments where you need to be extremely precise.
Cultural Background
This story actually comes from ancient Buddhist scriptures. It traveled from India to China over a thousand years ago. It became a staple of Chinese philosophy and literature. It reflects the value of 'wholeness' in Eastern thought. In China, being 'one-sided' is seen as a major intellectual flaw. The story is so famous that every Chinese child knows it by heart.
Common Variations
You might hear 以偏概全 which means 'taking a part for the whole.' It is more formal and academic. However, 盲人摸象 is much more vivid. It paints a funny, slightly ridiculous picture in the mind. People sometimes just say 'You are only touching the trunk' as a joke. It is a very visual way to communicate a complex idea.
Notas de uso
The phrase is neutral and very versatile. It fits perfectly in both casual debates and formal critiques of logic or strategy.
Softening the Blow
If you want to tell someone they are wrong without being rude, add '有点' (a bit) before the phrase. Say '你这样有点盲人摸象' to sound more like a helpful friend.
Literal vs. Figurative
Never use this to describe actual blindness. It is strictly for intellectual 'blindness' or lack of perspective.
The Elephant in the Room
In Chinese culture, the elephant is often a symbol of a vast, complex truth. This idiom is the most famous 'elephant' reference in the language!
Ejemplos
6只看预告片就评价这部电影，简直是盲人摸象。
Judging this movie just by the trailer is like the blind men touching the elephant.
Highlights how a small sample doesn't represent the whole work.
我们不能盲人摸象，必须了解整个市场的需求。
We can't be like the blind men touching the elephant; we must understand the whole market's needs.
Used to encourage a broader strategic perspective.
你对他还不了解，别盲人摸象。
You don't know him well yet, don't jump to conclusions based on one thing.
A soft warning against judging a person's character too quickly.
网上的信息碎片化，很容易让人盲人摸象。
Information on the internet is fragmented, making it easy to see only part of the picture.
Refers to the 'echo chamber' or 'filter bubble' effect.
我以为修水管很简单，结果我是盲人摸象，越修越漏！
I thought fixing the pipe was easy, but I had no idea what I was doing, and now it leaks more!
Self-deprecating humor about underestimating a task.
我之前一直怪他，现在才发现我以前是盲人摸象。
I used to blame him, but now I realize I only saw part of the truth.
Expresses regret over a past narrow perspective.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the correct phrase to complete the sentence about a narrow-minded view.
如果你只看公司的财务报表而不看员工士气，那就是___。
Looking only at finances while ignoring morale is a classic case of seeing only a part of the whole picture.
Which context best fits the use of '盲人摸象'?
在讨论复杂问题时，我们应该避免___。
When discussing complex problems, you want to avoid 'blind men touching the elephant' (incomplete understanding).
🎉 Puntuación: /2
Ayudas visuales
Formality and Usage Context
Used with friends to mock a quick judgment.
别盲人摸象了！
Common in daily conversation and news.
这种看法有点盲人摸象。
Used in speeches or articles to critique a theory.
这种研究方法无异于盲人摸象。
Where to use 盲人摸象
Business Strategy
Ignoring competitor data.
Social Media
Judging by a 10-second clip.
Relationships
Misunderstanding a friend's motive.
Learning
Thinking you know a language after one lesson.
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasIt's not a direct insult to intelligence, but it critiques someone's method of thinking. It suggests they are being narrow-minded rather than 'stupid'.
Yes, it is very common in business writing to describe a flawed analysis. For example: 这种分析无异于盲人摸象 (This analysis is no different from blind men touching an elephant).
Not really, but people will understand the reference if you just mention the 'elephant' in a context of misunderstanding.
A good opposite is 洞察全局 (dòng chá quán jú), which means to have a clear view of the whole situation.
The phrase itself is fixed, but you can use it to describe any situation where someone misses the big picture, from tech bugs to politics.
You usually put it after '是在' or '在'. For example: 你是在盲人摸象 (You are [acting like] the blind men touching the elephant).
Absolutely. It is a classic B2/C1 level idiom that shows you have a high command of cultural metaphors.
Yes, it's a timeless idiom. You'll see it in memes, news headlines, and daily chats.
Yes! It's actually very humble to say 我可能是在盲人摸象 (I might be seeing only part of the picture) when you aren't sure of your facts.
Misremembering the characters. Make sure you use 摸 (touch) and not 磨 (grind), which sounds the same but means something else.
Frases relacionadas
以偏概全
To generalize from a part to the whole.
管中窥豹
To look at a leopard through a tube (seeing only one spot).
坐井观天
To look at the sky from the bottom of a well (limited vision).
一叶障目
A single leaf blocking the eyes (missing the forest for the trees).
Comentarios (0)
Inicia Sesión para ComentarEmpieza a aprender idiomas gratis
Empieza Gratis