# 一窍不通

yī qiào bù tōng

Understand absolutely nothing about something

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Not one opening is clear

**Traditional Chinese:** 一竅不通

**Register:** Emphatic · conversational

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

## When to use it

Admit complete lack of knowledge in a field.

Applied to others, it can be insulting.

## Understanding the expression

The image is of access being blocked everywhere, with no opening through which understanding can pass. In everyday speech it strongly emphasizes unfamiliarity with a subject. People often use it about themselves to ask for help or make a modest joke. Used about another person, it can sound dismissive. It is a broad exaggeration, so someone may say it despite knowing a few basics rather than literally understanding nothing.

## Examples

我对修车一窍不通。

### Traditional Chinese

我對修車一竅不通。

wǒ duì xiū chē yī qiào bù tōng 。

I know nothing about repairing cars.

她对财务一窍不通，只好请教同事。

### Traditional Chinese

她對財務一竅不通，只好請教同事。

tā duì cái wù yī qiào bù tōng ， zhǐ hǎo qǐng jiào tóng shì 。

She knew nothing about finance and asked a colleague.

别说他一窍不通，他正在认真学习。

### Traditional Chinese

別說他一竅不通，他正在認真學習。

bié shuō tā yī qiào bù tōng ， tā zhèng zài rèn zhēn xué xí 。

Do not say he knows nothing; he is studying seriously.

爷爷对手机设置一窍不通，却愿意学。

### Traditional Chinese

爺爺對手機設置一竅不通，卻願意學。

yé ye duì shǒu jī shè zhì yī qiào bù tōng ， què yuàn yì xué 。

Grandpa knows nothing about phone settings but is willing to learn.

## 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%E7%AB%85%E4%B8%8D%E9%80%9A)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=65&webMd=1&la=0)

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