zi1 kei4 jat1 , bat1 zi1 kei4 ji6知其一,不知其二
Jyutpingzi1 kei4 jat1 , bat1 zi1 kei4 ji6
Yalejī kèih yāt , bāt jī kèih yih
Definition
To only know one side of a story or have an incomplete understanding of a situation.
colloquialpeoplecommunication
How it's used
This expression is a classical idiom often used in a slightly mocking or corrective tone to point out someone's limited perspective. It implies that the person is making a judgment based on incomplete information. While it sounds formal due to its literary roots, it is frequently dropped into casual conversation to sound more emphatic or sophisticated.
Related words
Common phrases
only know one side of the story
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a simple statement of ignorance, but it carries a specific nuance of being 'partially informed' rather than 'completely clueless'. It is most effective when used to challenge someone who is acting overly confident about a situation they do not fully understand.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
