# 断章取义

duàn zhāng qǔ yì

Quote selectively out of context

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Cut out a section and take its meaning

**Traditional Chinese:** 斷章取義

**Register:** Critical · formal

[Perspective](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/perspective)

## When to use it

Criticize extracts that distort the original argument.

A brief quotation is not necessarily distorted if context is preserved.

## Understanding the expression

Removing a passage from its surroundings can change how its meaning appears. The expression criticizes using an isolated line to support a claim the complete text does not support. It often concerns speeches, interviews, and written arguments. The problem is distortion, not brevity alone. A short quotation can be fair when its context is clear. Reading the surrounding explanation is the practical safeguard against confusing a fragment with the speaker's full position.

## Examples

别断章取义，后面还有解释。

### Traditional Chinese

別斷章取義，後面還有解釋。

bié duàn zhāng qǔ yì ， hòu miàn hái yǒu jiě shì 。

Do not quote out of context; an explanation follows.

视频剪辑断章取义，歪曲了她的回答。

### Traditional Chinese

視頻剪輯斷章取義，歪曲了她的回答。

shì pín jiǎn jí duàn zhāng qǔ yì ， wāi qū le tā de huí dá 。

The selective video edit distorted her answer.

他读完全文，发现报道断章取义。

### Traditional Chinese

他讀完全文，發現報道斷章取義。

tā dú wán quán wén ， fā xiàn bào dào duàn zhāng qǔ yì 。

Reading the full text revealed the report's distorted quotation.

引用别人时要避免断章取义。

### Traditional Chinese

引用別人時要避免斷章取義。

yǐn yòng bié rén shí yào bì miǎn duàn zhāng qǔ yì 。

Avoid distorting others when quoting them.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E6%96%B7%E7%AB%A0%E5%8F%96%E7%BE%A9)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=515&webMd=1&la=0)

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