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in layman's terms
固定短语，意为‘用通俗易懂的话’
Could you explain the theory in layman's terms?
你能用通俗的语言解释这个理论吗？
外行；门外汉
先理解核心含义，再看它在真实句子里的用法。
外行；门外汉
a person who is not a professional in a particular field; someone who lacks specialized knowledge
Could you explain the theory in layman's terms?
你能用通俗的语言解释这个理论吗？
Layperson, someone who is not an ordained cleric or member of the clergy.
不是神职人员或专业人士的人
someone who is not a clergyman or a professional person
Someone who is not a professional in a given field.
A common person.
The professor explained the complex theory in simple terms that even a layman could understand.
教授用简单的术语解释了复杂的理论，连外行都能理解。
The church council was composed of both clergy and laymen.
教会委员会由神职人员和俗人组成。
To a layman, the legal document seemed incomprehensible.
对于外行人来说，这份法律文件似乎难以理解。
固定短语，意为‘用通俗易懂的话’
Could you explain the theory in layman's terms?
你能用通俗的语言解释这个理论吗？
表示‘对外行人而言’，常用于说明内容易懂
This book is written for the layman, not the specialist.
这本书是为外行人写的，不是为专家写的。
‘a layman in + 领域’表示在某领域是外行
He is a layman in medicine, so his opinion may not be reliable.
他在医学方面是门外汉，所以他的意见可能不可靠。
Not this
He gave a layman explanation of the theory.
Use this
He gave a layman's explanation of the theory.
layman是名词，不能直接用作定语修饰名词；需用所有格形式layman's，或改用形容词lay（但含义不同）。常见固定短语是in layman's terms。
Not this
She is a layman of chemistry.
Use this
She is a layman in chemistry.
表达“在某方面是门外汉”时，介词应用in，而不是of，这是受中文“……的门外汉”影响导致的错误。
Focus on the distinctions below. Other candidates are kept compact until a reliable usage note is available.
用通俗易懂的话；用外行能听懂的说法
Could you put the legal advice in layman's terms?
你能用通俗易懂的话来说明这个法律建议吗？
通俗易懂的入门指南
This book is a layman's guide to astronomy.
这本书是一本面向外行的天文学入门读物。
从外行的角度看
From a layman's perspective, the new policy seems fair.
从外行的角度看，这项新政策似乎很公平。
对外行来说；供外行使用
The lecture was too technical for the layman.
这场讲座太专业，外行听不懂。
外行与专家；非专业人士和专业人士
The discussion was accessible to laymen and experts alike.
这场讨论外行和专家都能听得懂。
用通俗易懂的话说；用外行能听懂的话说
Can you explain that in layman's terms?
你能用通俗易懂的话解释一下吗？
发长 /eɪ/ 音 (如 day, play)
Use layman naturally, then get feedback on meaning, tone, grammar, and phrasing.
Revisit a common error or keep this word in your review list.
lay（放置）+ man（人）：被放在某专业大门外的普通人，即外行。
语域：mixed 常见场景：everyday explanations for non-specialists、popular science or general-interest articles、religious or church discussions 该词不粗俗也不口语化；日常科普语境中偏中性，多指“外行、非专业人士”；宗教或教会语境中偏正式，多指“平信徒、非神职人员”。若想避免性别指向，也可使用 layperson。
与介词 in 连用表示某方面的外行
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.