断章取义 — “To quote out of context”
断章取义 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to quote out of context”. To take a remark or statement out of its surrounding text or circumstances, often to distort its original meaning or intention.
断章取义 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- 断duàn
- 章zhāng
- 取qǔ
- 义yì
断章取义 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 断章取义
Origin and Story of 断章取义
During the late Spring and Autumn period, Cui Zhu and Qing Feng assassinated Duke Zhuang of Qi and subsequently enthroned Duke Jing of Qi, Chushou. Two of Duke Zhuang's loyal guards, Lu Bo Gui and Wang He, managed to escape to other states.
Lu Bo Gui's younger brother, Lu Bo Bi, secretly earned Qing Feng's trust. He cunningly devised a plan to eliminate Cui Zhu's entire family, and even offered his own wife to Qing Feng as part of his elaborate scheme.
Later, Lu Bo Bi successfully brought back Lu Bo Gui and Wang He, and together they avenged Duke Zhuang by orchestrating the demise of Qing Feng's family.
Idioms Related to 断章取义
Synonyms of 断章取义
Antonyms of 断章取义
More idioms starting with 断
- duàn断hū乎bù不kě可Absolutely not allowed
- duàn断shì事yǐ以lǐ理judge matters by reason
- duàn断shì事rú如shén神make incredibly accurate judgments
- duàn断jǐng井tuí颓yuán垣dilapidated courtyard
- duàn断jué决rú如liú流make quick and decisive judgments
- duàn断fú凫xù续hè鹤go against natural laws
- duàn断fà发wén文shēn身ancient custom of cutting hair and tattooing body
- duàn断fà发wén纹shēn身ancient custom of cutting hair and tattooing body
- duàn断guī圭suì碎bì璧precious literary fragments
- duàn断yuán垣cán残bì壁crumbling ruins
- duàn断mò墨cán残chǔ楮incomplete ancient texts
- duàn断bì壁cán残yuán垣ruins and dilapidated walls
Questions about 断章取义
- What does 断章取义 mean?
- 断章取义 (duàn zhāng qǔ yì) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to quote out of context”.
- How do you pronounce 断章取义?
- 断章取义 is pronounced duàn zhāng qǔ yì in Mandarin Chinese.
- Where does 断章取义 come from?
- 断章取义 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
- What is the Chinese definition of 断章取义?
- 断：截断；章：音乐一曲为一章。指不顾全篇文章或谈话的内容，孤立地取其中的一段或一句的意思。指引用与原意不符。