名副其实
名副其实 (míng fù qí shí) literally means “name matches reality” and expresses “living up to one's name or reputation”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships and character. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: ming fu qi shi, ming fu qi shi,名副其实 meaning, 名副其实 in english
Living up to one's name or reputation
Pronunciation: míng fù qí shí Literal meaning: Name matches reality
Origin & Usage
This idiom originates from the Han Dynasty text 'Hou Han Shu' (后汉书), where it described officials whose abilities matched their titles. The phrase combines 'name' (名) with 'matching' (副) its 'reality' (实). In ancient China, there was great emphasis on the correspondence between titles and actual merit, as misaligned names and realities were seen as a source of social disorder. Confucius himself emphasized 'rectification of names' (正名). Modern usage applies to anything that lives up to its reputation, from products to people to places.
When to Use
Situation: The restaurant truly lives up to its reputation as the best in town.
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To be true to one's word
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Person who agrees with everyone to avoid conflict
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 名副其实 mean in English?
名副其实 (míng fù qí shí) literally translates to “Name matches reality” and is used to express “Living up to one's name or reputation”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 名副其实 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving living up to one's name or reputation.
What is the pinyin for 名副其实?
The pinyin pronunciation for 名副其实 is “míng fù qí shí”.