沽名钓誉
沽名钓誉 (gū míng diào yù) literally means “buy a name, angle for praise” and expresses “seek fame through calculated actions”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships and character.
Also searched as: gu ming diao yu, gu ming diao yu,沽名钓誉 meaning, 沽名钓誉 in english
Seek fame through calculated actions
Pronunciation: gū míng diào yù Literal meaning: Buy a name, angle for praise
Origin & Usage
To buy (沽) a name (名) and angle (钓) for reputation (誉). Both verbs are transactional and one of them is patient — 钓 is fishing with a line, which implies bait, waiting, and a fish that does not know it is being caught. That is what the phrase alleges: not merely wanting to be well thought of, but building the conditions under which it will happen. Conspicuous charity and public resignations, and it is a serious accusation, because it claims to know the motive behind an act that was otherwise good.
Examples
English: "His charity work seemed more about publicity than genuine help."
Chinese: 他的慈善工作似乎更多是沽名钓誉，而非真正的帮助。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about relationships & character
不择手段
bú zé shǒu duàn
Use any means regardless of ethics
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自以为是
zì yǐ wéi shì
Self-righteous; opinionated
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明知故犯
míng zhī gù fàn
Knowingly commit a violation
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言过其实
yán guò qí shí
Exaggerate; overstate
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暗箭伤人
àn jiàn shāng rén
Covert attacks avoiding direct confrontation
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捕风捉影
bǔ fēng zhuō yǐng
Make accusations without solid evidence
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瓜田李下
guā tián lǐ xià
Avoid situations that invite suspicion
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弄巧成拙
nòng qiǎo chéng zhuō
Outsmart oneself; cleverness backfiring
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 沽名钓誉 mean in English?
沽名钓誉 (gū míng diào yù) literally translates to “Buy a name, angle for praise” and is used to express “Seek fame through calculated actions”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 沽名钓誉 used?
Situation: His charity work seemed more about publicity than genuine help.
What is the pinyin for 沽名钓誉?
The pinyin pronunciation for 沽名钓誉 is “gū míng diào yù”.