外行

wàiháng

noun HSK 7-9 #12,653

Meanings

1 layperson
2 amateur
3 non-expert

Characters

outside; external

profession; trade; line of work

Examples

HSK 3

这件事我是外行，不敢乱说。

Zhè jiàn shì wǒ shì wàiháng, bù gǎn luàn shuō.

I'm a layperson on this matter, so I don't dare speak carelessly.

HSK 7-9

外行看热闹，内行看门道。

Wàiháng kàn rènao, nèiháng kàn méndào.

Laypeople watch for excitement; experts look for technique.

Tips

usage

外行 is the opposite of 内行 (expert/insider). The saying 外行看热闹，内行看门道 is a well-known proverb meaning amateurs see the surface while experts see the substance.

Stroke Order

外 wài

行 xíng