# 管中窥豹

guǎn zhōng kuī bào

See only part of a larger picture

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Look at a leopard through a tube

**Traditional Chinese:** 管中窺豹

**Register:** Reflective · formal

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

## When to use it

Describe limited evidence or a narrow viewpoint.

A visible part may offer a clue without showing the whole.

## Understanding the expression

A narrow tube allows only a small patch of a leopard to be seen. The observer may recognize a pattern while missing the animal's full form. Modern use describes partial knowledge gained from limited examples or data. It can warn against a broad conclusion or modestly introduce a small glimpse. The phrase does not make the glimpse worthless. It asks the reader to remember how much remains outside the available view.

## Examples

只看一份报告，难免管中窥豹。

### Traditional Chinese

只看一份報告，難免管中窺豹。

zhī kàn yí fèn bào gào ， nán miǎn guǎn zhōng kuī bào 。

One report gives only a partial view.

这些数据只能管中窥豹。

### Traditional Chinese

這些數據只能管中窺豹。

zhè xiē shù jù zhǐ néng guǎn zhōng kuī bào 。

These data offer only a glimpse of the whole.

我用一个案例管中窥豹。

### Traditional Chinese

我用一個案例管中窺豹。

wǒ yòng yí gè àn lì guǎn zhōng kuī bào 。

I offer one case as a limited glimpse.

别管中窥豹就判断全局。

### Traditional Chinese

別管中窺豹就判斷全局。

bié guǎn zhōng kuī bào jiù pàn duàn quán jú 。

Do not judge the whole from a narrow view.

## 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=%E7%AE%A1%E4%B8%AD%E7%AA%BA%E8%B1%B9)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=190&webMd=1&la=0)

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