一知半解

yī zhī bàn jiě

a smattering of knowledge

Character by character

一yī
one

知zhī
knowing

半bàn
half

解jiě
understanding

我对法律只是一知半解，你最好问问律师。

I have only a smattering of law; you had better ask a lawyer.

Tone: negative (criticism).

Learn this in Lesson 211 · HSK 9+: 俗语、谚语与歇后语 (Sayings, proverbs and two-part riddles)

A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.