断章取义

• Pinyin: duàn zhāng qǔ yì
• Hanzi breakdown: 断章 (cut a passage) + 取义 (take meaning) -> extract meaning out of context.

Meaning

To quote or interpret something out of context.

On social media it describes clips, screenshots, or captions that distort the original meaning. The phrase is more formal than many slang terms but very common online.

Examples

1. 别断章取义，他后面还有解释。 Don't 断章取义; he explains it later.
2. 这段截图太断章取义了。 This screenshot is a classic example of 断章取义.
3. 转发前先看全文，别被断章取义带跑。 Before you share it, read the full article so you don't get misled by 断章取义.

Usage Guide

Context: comments, news, debates, social media

Tone: critical, corrective

Do Say

• 这句话被断章取义了，要看完整视频。（Use for missing context.）
• 讨论前先避免断章取义。（Works in serious online debate.）

Don't Say

• 把不同观点都叫断章取义。（It specifically means context was removed or distorted.）

Common Mistakes

• Using it as a generic insult; point to what context is missing.

Origin & History

An established idiom meaning to take meaning from a broken section, renewed by screenshot and clip culture.

Cultural Context

Era: 2020s

Generation: All adult speakers, especially common in online discussion

Social background: Urban online speakers and lifestyle consumers

Regional notes: Used across Mainland China, especially on social platforms.