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断章取义 (duàn zhāng qǔ yì) — Chinese word meaning

HSK 7

断章取义 (duàn zhāng qǔ yì) is a Chinese word: quote out of context. This page shows its pinyin, translation, example sentences, character breakdown, decomposition, and HSK level.

Meaning of 断章取义

成语 chéng yǔ idiom

quote out of context

不要断章取义，要完整地理解原文的意思。

bú yào duàn zhāng qǔ yì yào wán zhěng de lǐ jiě yuán wén de yì si

Don't quote out of context; you should understand the original text's meaning completely.

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Word breakdown

断 duàn — cut off, sever (text)

Words with this character (16)
  • 1 不断 bú duàn — continuously HSK 4
    • 不 not (negation particle)
    • 断 break, stop, cease
    Example

    科技不断发展，改变着我们的生活。

    kē jì bú duàn fā zhǎn gǎi biàn zhe wǒ men de shēng huó

    Technology continuously develops, changing our lives.

  • 2 判断 pàn duàn — to judge HSK 4
    • 判 to judge, to discern
    • 断 to decide, to conclude
    Example

    我们需要判断这个决定是否正确。

    wǒ men xū yào pàn duàn zhè ge jué dìng shì fǒu zhèng què

    We need to judge whether this decision is correct.

  • 3 打断 dǎ duàn — to interrupt HSK 5
    • 打 to strike, to perform an action upon
    • 断 to break off, to sever, to cut short
    Example

    请不要打断我说话。

    qǐng bú yào dǎ duàn wǒ shuō huà

    Please don't interrupt me while I'm speaking.

  • 4 诊断 zhěn duàn — diagnose HSK 5
    • 诊 examine medically
    • 断 determine, judge
    Example

    医生正在诊断病人的病情。

    yī shēng zhèng zài zhěn duàn bìng rén de bìng qíng

    The doctor is diagnosing the patient's condition.

  • 5 中断 zhōng duàn — interrupt HSK 6
    • 中 in the middle, indicating something cut in half
    • 断 break, cut off, sever
    Example

    网络连接突然中断了。

    wǎng luò lián jiē tū rán zhōng duàn le

    The network connection suddenly interrupted.

Show more (+11)

章 zhāng — chapter, passage

Words with this character (9)
Show more (+4)

取 qǔ — take, select

Words with this character (27)
  • 1 取得 qǔ dé — to obtain HSK 4
    • 取 to take, to get (the action of acquiring)
    • 得 to obtain, to succeed in getting (emphasizes successful acquisition)
    Example

    他取得了很好的成绩。

    tā qǔ dé le hěn hǎo de chéng jì

    He obtained very good results.

  • 2 取消 qǔ xiāo — cancel HSK 4
    • 取 to take, to get rid of
    • 消 to eliminate, to make disappear
    Example

    我想取消明天的预约。

    wǒ xiǎng qǔ xiāo míng tiān de yù yuē

    I want to cancel tomorrow's appointment.

  • 3 获取 huò qǔ — obtain HSK 4
    • 获 to receive, to gain
    • 取 to take, to acquire
    Example

    我们需要获取更多信息。

    wǒ men xū yào huò qǔ gèng duō xìn xī

    We need to obtain more information.

  • 4 争取 zhēng qǔ — strive for HSK 5
    • 争 strive, contend, compete
    • 取 obtain, get, take
    Example

    我们要争取更多的机会。

    wǒ men yào zhēng qǔ gèng duō de jī huì

    We must strive for more opportunities.

  • 5 录取 lù qǔ — to admit, to enroll HSK 5
    • 录 to record, to register (the administrative act of recording acceptance)
    • 取 to select, to choose (the act of selecting someone)
    Example

    她被北京大学录取了。

    tā bèi Běi jīng Dà xué lù qǔ le

    She was admitted to Peking University.

Show more (+22)

义 yì — meaning, interpretation

Words with this character (16)
  • 1 义务 yì wù — obligation HSK 5
    • 义 righteousness, moral obligation, what is right
    • 务 must do, task, responsibility
    Example

    每个公民都有纳税的义务。

    měi gè gōng mín dōu yǒu nà shuì de yì wù

    Every citizen has the obligation to pay taxes.

  • 2 意义 yì yì — meaning HSK 5
    • 意 thought, idea
    • 义 significance, principle
    Example

    这项研究有重要的意义。

    zhè xiàng yán jiū yǒu zhòng yào de yì yì

    This research has important significance.

  • 3 含义 hán yì — meaning HSK 6
    • 含 to contain, to hold within
    • 义 meaning, significance
    Example

    你理解这句话的含义吗？

    nǐ lǐ jiě zhè jù huà de hán yì ma

    Do you understand the meaning of this sentence?

  • 4 定义 dìng yì — definition HSK 6
    • 定 to fix, to establish
    • 义 meaning, sense
    Example

    请给出一个准确的定义。

    qǐng gěi chū yí gè zhǔn què de dìng yì

    Please give an accurate definition.

  • 5 正义 zhèng yì — justice HSK 6
    • 正 upright, correct
    • 义 righteousness, justice
    Example

    他是一个有正义感的人。

    tā shì yí gè yǒu zhèng yì gǎn de rén

    He is a person with a sense of justice.

Show more (+11)
  • 6 主义 zhǔ yì — -ism HSK 7
    • 主 main, primary
    • 义 principle, doctrine
    Example

    他相信自由主义。

    tā xiāng xìn zì yóu zhǔ yì

    He believes in liberalism.

  • 7 义工 yì gōng — volunteer HSK 7
    • 义 voluntary, righteous (indicating unpaid, willing service)
    • 工 work, worker (the labor or person performing the service)
    Example

    她每周末都去医院做义工。

    tā měi zhōu mò dōu qù yī yuàn zuò yì gōng

    She goes to the hospital to volunteer every weekend.

  • 8 名义 míng yì — nominal; in the name of HSK 7
    • 名 name; title
    • 义 meaning; significance; justification
    Example

    他以公司的名义签订了合同。

    tā yǐ gōng sī de míng yì qiān dìng le hé tong

    He signed the contract in the name of the company.

  • 9 天经地义 tiān jīng dì yì — right and proper; unquestionable truth HSK 7
    • 天 heaven; represents universal/cosmic order
    • 经 classics/principles; represents established truths
    • 地 earth; represents earthly/worldly order
    • 义 righteousness/justice; represents moral correctness
    Example

    父母爱孩子是天经地义的。

    fù mǔ ài hái zi shì tiān jīng dì yì de

    It is natural and right for parents to love their children.

  • 10 广义 guǎng yì — broad sense HSK 7
    • 广 broad, wide, extensive
    • 义 sense, meaning, significance
    Example

    广义的教育包括家庭教育和社会教育。

    guǎng yì de jiào yù bāo kuò jiā tíng jiào yù hé shè huì jiào yù

    Education in the broad sense includes family education and social education.

  • 11 狭义 xiá yì — narrow sense HSK 7
    • 狭 narrow, limited
    • 义 meaning, sense
    Example

    狭义和广义的区别很重要。

    xiá yì hé guǎng yì de qū bié hěn zhòng yào

    The distinction between narrow sense and broad sense is very important.

  • 12 社会主义 shè huì zhǔ yì — socialism HSK 7
    • 社 society, community
    • 会 society, assembly (forms 'society' with 社)
    • 主 main, principal (forms '-ism' suffix with 义)
    • 义 principle, doctrine (forms '-ism' suffix with 主)
    Example

    他正在研究社会主义理论。

    tā zhèng zài yán jiū shè huì zhǔ yì lǐ lùn

    He is studying socialist theory.

  • 13 见义勇为 jiàn yì yǒng wéi — to act bravely for a just cause HSK 7
    • 见 to see, to witness
    • 义 righteousness, justice
    • 勇 brave, courageous
    • 为 to act, to do
    Example

    他见义勇为，救了落水的孩子。

    tā jiàn yì yǒng wéi jiù le luò shuǐ de hái zi

    He acted bravely for justice and saved the drowning child.

  • 14 见利忘义 jiàn lì wàng yì — to forsake justice for personal gain HSK 7
    • 见 to see, to encounter
    • 利 profit, benefit, gain
    • 忘 to forget, to neglect
    • 义 righteousness, justice, loyalty
    Example

    那个商人见利忘义，出卖了朋友的商业秘密。

    nà ge shāng rén jiàn lì wàng yì chū mài le péng you de shāng yè mì mì

    That businessman forsook justice for personal gain and betrayed his friend's business secrets.

  • 15 资本主义 zī běn zhǔ yì — capitalism HSK 7
    • 资 capital, resources
    • 本 foundation, basis (forms 'capital' with 资)
    • 主 main, master (indicates primary doctrine)
    • 义 principle, -ism (suffix for doctrines/ideologies)
    Example

    资本主义和社会主义是两种不同的经济制度。

    zī běn zhǔ yì hé shè huì zhǔ yì shì liǎng zhǒng bù tóng de jīng jì zhì dù

    Capitalism and socialism are two different economic systems.

  • 16 顾名思义 gù míng sī yì — as the name suggests HSK 7
    • 顾 to consider, pay attention to
    • 名 name, designation
    • 思 to think about, ponder
    • 义 meaning, significance
    Example

    这种植物叫'含羞草'，顾名思义，它的叶子碰到就会收缩。

    zhè zhǒng zhí wù jiào hán xiū cǎo gù míng sī yì tā de yè zi pèng dào jiù huì shōu suō

    This plant is called 'mimosa'; as the name suggests, its leaves shrink when touched.

Structure & writing
1 断 duàn — to break into two or more pieces (of something long)

断 is not used as a component in any other character.

consists of

1.1 丨 gǔn — vertical stroke component, meaning 'passing through up and down'
丨 is a component in 8 characters
HSK 1
中 zhōng center; middle point equidistant from all sides 候 hòu to wait; to await
HSK 3
旧 jiù old; outdated (opposite of '新')
HSK 4
引 yǐn to pull; to tug 断 duàn to break into two or more pieces (of something long)
HSK 6
串 chuàn to thread or string things together 兼 jiān doubled; combining two portions into one
HSK 7
陋 lòu ugly; unsightly
1.2 一 yī — the smallest positive integer; one (①used before a measure word ②used before a noun ③indicates a single action or a brief/tentative action)
一 is a component in 58 characters
HSK 1
下 xià lower position (opposite of 上): ① positioned below (opposite of 上); ② later in order or time; ③ within a certain range, condition, or circumstance 两 liǎng two (used before measure words and 半, 千, 万, 亿) 事 shì matter; affair; everything that happens in nature and society 候 hòu to wait; to await 元 yuán the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368), founded by Kublai Khan
Show more HSK 1 characters (+10)
兴 xīng to be popular; to be in vogue 再 zài twice; a second time 前 qián front; the direction one faces (opposite of 后) 天 tiān sky 子 zǐ child (son or daughter in ancient usage); now specifically son 师 shī teacher; instructor (one who imparts knowledge or skills) 本 běn root or stem of a plant 正 zhèng straight; upright (opposite of crooked or tilted) 百 bǎi hundred (the number 100) 贵 guì expensive; of high value (opposite of 贱)
HSK 2
夫 fū general term for an adult man 画 huà to draw or paint (with a brush or similar tool)
HSK 3
其 qí pronoun: ① he, they ② his, their ③ that, those 合 hé to close; to shut; to bring together (opposite of 开) 夏 xià summer (the second of the four seasons) 带 dài ribbon, strip, or belt-shaped object 应 yìng to reply; to answer
Show more HSK 3 characters (+7)
或 huò perhaps; maybe 更 gēng to change; to replace; to substitute 末 mò tip or end of an object 求 qiú to beg, to implore 演 yǎn to evolve; to change gradually 直 zhí straight; not curved (opposite of 曲) 行 xíng to walk; to go
HSK 4
亚 yà inferior (mostly used in negative constructions) 亲 qīn related by blood or marriage; esp. parents 具 jù tool; utensil; implement 咸 xián (lit.) all; everyone (classical adverb) 断 duàn to break into two or more pieces (of something long)
HSK 5
善 shàn kind; benevolent; charitable (opposite of 恶) 威 wēi authority or power that commands awe and respect 旦 dàn dawn; early morning 未 wèi not yet (opposite of 已) 武 wǔ military; martial (opposite of civil/literary "文")
HSK 6
兼 jiān doubled; combining two portions into one 德 dé morality; ethical standards and norms of conduct 拜 bài to bow or salute as a show of respect 灭 miè go out; stop burning or shining (opposite of 着) 衰 shuāi to decline, to weaken
HSK 7
丘 qiū small hill; mound 丙 bǐng third of the ten Heavenly Stems; used to indicate third in order 丛 cóng to cluster together, to gather in a mass 兹 zī (lit., class.) demonstrative pronoun: this; this one 兽 shòu beast; mammal (generally referring to four-legged, fur-covered mammals)
Show more HSK 7 characters (+9)
拯 zhěng to rescue, to save 朱 zhū vermilion, bright red 胚 pēi embryo; organism in early development, formed from fertilized or unfertilized egg 蒙 méng ignorant, lacking knowledge 贮 zhù to store; to stockpile 逆 nì to go in the opposite direction (opposite of 顺) 遣 qiǎn to dispatch; to send 陋 lòu ugly; unsightly 隆 lóng grand; magnificent
1.3 米 mǐ — husked grain; esp. husked rice
米 is a component in 26 characters
HSK 3
料 liào to look after; to manage 糕 gāo cake or pastry made from rice flour or wheat flour, e.g. 年糕, 蜂糕, 蛋糕 糖 táng carbohydrate (organic compound class including monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides)
HSK 4
断 duàn to break into two or more pieces (of something long) 粗 cū thick in diameter (opposite of 细) 精 jīng essence; the purest part of a substance 迷 mí unable to distinguish; lost the ability to discern or judge
HSK 5
类 lèi kind; category; a group of similar things 粮 liáng grain; food crops (cereals, legumes, tubers, etc.) 糊 hú porridge; gruel 糟 zāo dregs left over from brewing wine
HSK 6
粉 fěn fine powder 粒 lì small round or tiny fragment-shaped object 粘 zhān to stick together or adhere to something 粥 zhōu porridge; congee (semi-liquid food made by boiling grains) 粽 zòng sticky rice dumpling wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves
HSK 7
奥 ào southwest corner of a house in ancient times; inner recess of a room 屎 shǐ feces; excrement 璨 càn (lit.) fine jade 眯 mī to squint; to narrow the eyes 籽 zǐ seeds of certain plants
Show more HSK 7 characters (+5)
粕 pò dregs left over from brewing wine 粪 fèn feces; excrement 粹 cuì pure; unmixed 糙 cāo brown rice; unhulled rice with bran intact 麟 lín (lit.) qilin (mythical creature resembling a large deer with horns and scales)
1.4 斤 jīn — unit of weight equal to 500 grams (jin)
斤 is a component in 15 characters
HSK 1
听 tīng to listen; to hear 新 xīn opposite of 'old/worn': ① newly appearing; just experienced ② freshly made or produced; unused ③ changed from what it was before
HSK 2
所 suǒ place; location 近 jìn near, close (in space or time; opposite of 远)
HSK 4
折 zhé to break; to snap 断 duàn to break into two or more pieces (of something long)
HSK 5
析 xī to separate; to disperse 欣 xīn joyful, delighted
HSK 7
丘 qiū small hill; mound 匠 jiàng craftsman; skilled artisan 撕 sī to tear apart with one's hands 斥 chì to reprimand; to scold 斧 fǔ axe (a wedge-shaped tool with a wooden handle for chopping)
Show more HSK 7 characters (+2)
斩 zhǎn to chop off; to behead 祈 qí to pray to gods for blessings; to pray

Stroke order

2 章 zhāng — a section or chapter of music, poetry, or prose
章 is a component in 2 characters
HSK 6
障 zhàng to block; to obstruct; to conceal
HSK 7
彰 zhāng obvious; prominent

consists of

2.1 音 yīn — sound; pronunciation
音 is a component in 5 characters
HSK 2
意 yì wish; intention
HSK 4
竟 jìng to end; to finish 章 zhāng a section or chapter of music, poetry, or prose
HSK 5
暗 àn dark, dim (opposite of 明)
HSK 7
韵 yùn harmonious sound
2.2 十 shí — ten (the number 9+1)
十 is a component in 29 characters
HSK 1
什 shén see "什么": ① interrogative pronoun; ② indefinite reference; ③ universal reference (used before 也/都); ④ surprise or dissatisfaction; ⑤ reproach; ⑥ disagreement; ⑦ non-exhaustive enumeration 卖 mài to sell; to exchange goods, skills, or labor for money (opposite of 买) 早 zǎo morning
HSK 2
妻 qī wife (opposite of 夫)
HSK 3
南 nán south (one of the four cardinal directions, opposite of north) 直 zhí straight; not curved (opposite of 曲)
HSK 4
克 kè to be able to; can 博 bó abundant; plentiful 叶 yè leaf (of a plant) 戴 dài to wear or put on (something on the head or body) 支 zhī to prop up; to support
Show more HSK 4 characters (+7)
毕 bì to finish, to conclude 汁 zhī juice; liquid containing certain substances 章 zhāng a section or chapter of music, poetry, or prose 计 jì to calculate; to reckon 质 zhì fundamental nature of a thing 辛 xīn pungent; spicy 针 zhēn needle or pin (slender metal tool with a point and eye or hook, used for sewing or knitting)
HSK 5
华 huá referring to China 协 xié harmonious; in accord 古 gǔ ancient; of a bygone era, opposite of 'present' 盾 dùn shield (ancient protective weapon used in battle) 索 suǒ thick rope or chain
Show more HSK 5 characters (+1)
裁 cái to arrange and select (mostly used in literary arts)
HSK 6
德 dé morality; ethical standards and norms of conduct 截 jié to cut off; to sever (something long and slender)
HSK 7
卉 huì general term for various plants (esp. ornamental grasses and flowers) 卑 bēi low; lowly 嚏 tì (lit.) to sneeze

Stroke order

3 取 qǔ — to take into one's hand
取 is a component in 4 characters
HSK 2
最 zuì most; -est (superlative degree)
HSK 3
趣 qù intention; inclination
HSK 4
聚 jù to gather, to assemble
HSK 6
娶 qǔ to take a wife; to marry (of a man, opposite of 嫁)

consists of

3.1 耳 ěr — ear, the hearing organ of humans and animals
耳 is a component in 15 characters
HSK 3
聊 liáo (lit.) for the time being; tentatively 聪 cōng (lit.) sense of hearing 闻 wén to hear
HSK 4
取 qǔ to take into one's hand 职 zhí duty; responsibility; what one is obliged to do 联 lián to connect; to unite 聘 pìn to hire or appoint someone to a position
HSK 6
耽 dān to delay; to procrastinate
HSK 7
椰 yē coconut palm, a tall tropical evergreen tree whose fruit contains juice and edible flesh 耸 sǒng to tower; to stand tall 耻 chǐ shame; disgrace 耿 gěng (lit.) bright; luminous 聆 líng (lit.) to listen; to listen attentively
Show more HSK 7 characters (+2)
聋 lóng deaf; hard of hearing 饵 ěr cake; pastry
3.2 又 yòu — again; indicating repetition or successive occurrence of an action
又 is a component in 38 characters
HSK 1
对 duì to answer; to reply 服 fú clothing; garment 欢 huān joyful, happy 汉 hàn Han River (汉江), originating in southern Shaanxi, flowing into the Yangtze at Wuhan, Hubei 鸡 jī chicken (domestic fowl with short beak, red comb, and short wings)
HSK 3
双 shuāng two (often symmetrical, opposite of 单) 叔 shū father's younger brother; also a form of address for a man of the same generation as one's father but younger and unrelated (can be reduplicated) 受 shòu to receive; to accept 变 biàn to change; to differ from before 戏 xì to play; to frolic
Show more HSK 3 characters (+3)
报 bào newspaper; also refers to certain periodicals 轻 qīng light in weight; low in density (opposite of '重') 难 nán difficult; not easy (opposite of 易)
HSK 4
仅 jǐn only; merely 反 fǎn to flip over; to turn upside down 取 qǔ to take into one's hand 度 dù instrument or unit for measuring length 支 zhī to prop up; to support
Show more HSK 4 characters (+2)
观 guān to observe carefully 餐 cān to eat (a meal)
HSK 5
劝 quàn to persuade; to convince someone by presenting facts and reasoning 叉 chā fork (a utensil with two or more tines at one end and a handle at the other) 权 quán ancient counterweight of a steelyard 艰 jiān difficult; not easy
HSK 6
叙 xù to narrate, to chat 径 jìng narrow path; footpath 竖 shù upright, vertical, perpendicular to the ground (opposite of '横')
HSK 7
侵 qīn to invade, to encroach on others' rights 凤 fèng phoenix, the legendary king of birds (the male is called 凤, the female 凰) 叹 tàn to sigh out of worry or sorrow 圣 shèng supremely exalted and wise 奴 nú slave (person oppressed, exploited, and controlled in old society)
Show more HSK 7 characters (+6)
寝 qǐn to sleep 浸 jìn to soak in liquid; to steep 璨 càn (lit.) fine jade 盈 yíng to be full; to fill up 缀 zhuì to sew together; to stitch 驭 yù to drive (a carriage or horse)

Stroke order

4 义 yì — justice; righteous principle or moral conduct
义 is a component in 3 characters
HSK 3
议 yì to discuss; to deliberate
HSK 6
仪 yí appearance and bearing; demeanor 蚁 yǐ ant (small insect living in colonies, typically black, brown, or red, with threadlike or clubbed antennae and a narrow waist)

consists of

4.1 丶 zhǔ — dot stroke; ancient punctuation mark, now a basic stroke component
丶 is a component in 21 characters
HSK 1
太 tài high; great
HSK 2
为 wéi to do; to act
HSK 3
主 zhǔ owner; one who possesses property or power 勺 sháo ladle; spoon (a handled utensil for scooping)
HSK 4
乓 pāng onomatopoeia for gunshots, slamming doors, or crashing sounds 压 yā to press down on an object (often from above) 尤 yóu exceptional; outstanding 户 hù single-panel door; door in general 术 shù skill; technique; art; learning
HSK 5
义 yì justice; righteous principle or moral conduct 兔 tù rabbit; hare (mammal with large ears, split upper lip, short tail, and strong hind legs, known for swift running and jumping; includes domestic and wild varieties; fur used for textiles and clothing) 叉 chā fork (a utensil with two or more tines at one end and a handle at the other) 玉 yù jade; a fine-grained, hard, lustrous mineral used for ornaments and carvings 良 liáng good; excellent
HSK 6
凡 fán ordinary, commonplace 匆 cōng hurried; hasty
HSK 7
丸 wán small round object (〜子, 〜儿) 斥 chì to reprimand; to scold 犬 quǎn dog 琢 zuó to ponder repeatedly; to mull over (见"琢磨") 蔑 miè (lit.) nothing, without
4.2 乂 yì — to govern; to bring order and stability
乂 is a component in 11 characters
HSK 2
希 xī to hope; to wish for 网 wǎng net (for catching fish, birds, or animals)
HSK 3
区 qū to distinguish; to divide 史 shǐ history; historical records and the study of history 更 gēng to change; to replace; to substitute
HSK 5
义 yì justice; righteous principle or moral conduct
HSK 6
杀 shā to kill; to cause the death of a person or animal
HSK 7
凶 xiōng inauspicious; ominous (of death, disaster, etc., opposite of 吉) 卤 lǔ bittern; the bitter black liquid remaining after salt crystallization, a mixture of magnesium chloride, magnesium sulfate, magnesium bromide, and sodium chloride 肴 yáo cooked meat or fish dishes 艾 ài mugwort (perennial herb used in medicine and moxibustion; also called 艾蒿)

Stroke order