# 一孔之见

yī kǒng zhī jiàn

A limited personal view

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** A view through one hole

**Traditional Chinese:** 一孔之見

**Register:** Modest · literary

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

## When to use it

Modestly qualify an opinion or criticize narrow understanding.

Self-use is courteous; applying it to others can be dismissive.

## Understanding the expression

Looking through a small opening shows only part of the scene. The expression acknowledges that an opinion may reflect a limited perspective rather than the whole truth. Speakers often use it politely when offering their own judgment. Applied to someone else, it can criticize narrowness. The practical response is to seek additional viewpoints and evidence, not to assume all opinions are equally weak. Limited knowledge can still contribute something useful when its boundaries are clear.

## Examples

这只是我的一孔之见。

### Traditional Chinese

這只是我的一孔之見。

zhè zhǐ shì wǒ de yī kǒng zhī jiàn 。

This is only my limited view.

他的判断是一孔之见，缺少现场资料。

### Traditional Chinese

他的判斷是一孔之見，缺少現場資料。

tā de pàn duàn shì yī kǒng zhī jiàn ， quē shǎo xiàn chǎng zī liào 。

His judgment is narrow and lacks field information.

请容我提出一孔之见。

### Traditional Chinese

請容我提出一孔之見。

qǐng róng wǒ tí chū yī kǒng zhī jiàn 。

Allow me to offer a modest personal view.

别把一孔之见当成唯一答案。

### Traditional Chinese

別把一孔之見當成唯一答案。

bié bǎ yī kǒng zhī jiàn dàng chéng wéi yī dá àn 。

Do not treat a partial view as the only answer.

## 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=%E4%B8%80%E5%AD%94%E4%B9%8B%E8%A6%8B)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=557&webMd=1&la=0)

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