HSK · Level 40
120 words
Chinese word
外行
Pronunciation
Pinyinwài háng
Meaning
- nounamateur
Example
他只是个外行，别听他的建议。tā zhǐ shì gè wài háng bié tīng tā de jiàn yì
He's just an amateur, so don't listen to his advice.
More examples
外行很容易被专业术语吓到。wài háng hěn róng yì bèi zhuān yè shù yǔ xià dào
An amateur can easily be intimidated by technical terms.
Core concept
A voice from beyond a profession's inner circle, not grounded in the methods and experience that guide its work.
Common phrases
个外行gè wài háng
an amateur
外行人士wài háng rén shì
a layperson
外行的意见wài háng de yì jiàn
an amateur's opinion
Similar words
门外汉mén wài hàn: A layperson with almost no specialized knowledge or practical experience in a field.
非专业人士fēi zhuān yè rén shì: A person without professional training or qualifications who does not work in a field professionally.
Definition in Chinese
指在某一行业或领域里缺乏专业知识和经验的人，也可作形容词，表示不熟悉、不擅长该方面。zhǐ zài mǒu yì háng yè huò lǐng yù lǐ quē fá zhuān yè zhī shí hé jīng yàn de rén yě kě zuò xíng róng cí biǎo shì bù shú xī bú shàn cháng gāi fāng miàn
Word origin
外行 (wàiháng, "outsider to a trade") is formed from 外 (wài, "outside") + 行 (háng, "trade or line of work"), so the word pictures someone who has not entered a field's professional world.
Usage tips
- When used about a person's advice or ability, the word can sound dismissive rather than neutral, so everyday conversation often favors a factual phrase about limited experience.
Other meanings
- outsidernoun
- non-expertnoun
Opposites
- 内行nèi hángexpertnoun
- 行家háng jiaprofessionalnoun
Related words
- 外行人wài háng rénlaypersonnoun
- 外行话wài háng huàamateurish talknoun