# 孤陋寡闻

gū lòu guǎ wén

Have limited knowledge and experience

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Narrow learning and little heard

**Traditional Chinese:** 孤陋寡聞

**Register:** Modest or critical · formal

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

## When to use it

Admit unfamiliarity or criticize a narrow outlook.

Self use is modest; judging others can insult.

## Understanding the expression

The two halves point to a small store of learning and little contact with the wider world. Together they describe knowledge limited by lack of exposure. People often use the phrase modestly when hearing something new. Directed at another person, it becomes criticism and can sound superior. Not knowing one specialized fact does not prove a generally narrow outlook, so the strength of the judgment should match the context.

## Examples

我孤陋寡闻，没听过这位画家。

### Traditional Chinese

我孤陋寡聞，沒聽過這位畫家。

wǒ gū lòu guǎ wén ， méi tīng guò zhè wèi huà jiā 。

I am unfamiliar with this painter.

多旅行，免得孤陋寡闻。

### Traditional Chinese

多旅行，免得孤陋寡聞。

duō lǚ xíng ， miǎn de gū lòu guǎ wén 。

Travel more to broaden your limited knowledge.

他承认自己孤陋寡闻，愿意请教。

### Traditional Chinese

他承認自己孤陋寡聞，願意請教。

tā chéng rèn zì jǐ gū lòu guǎ wén ， yuàn yì qǐng jiào 。

He admitted his limited knowledge and wanted to learn.

别因一个问题就说人孤陋寡闻。

### Traditional Chinese

別因一個問題就說人孤陋寡聞。

bié yīn yí gè wèn tí jiù shuō rén gū lòu guǎ wén 。

Do not call someone ignorant over one question.

## 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=%E5%AD%A4%E9%99%8B%E5%AF%A1%E8%81%9E)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=100&webMd=1&la=0)

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