名垂青史
名垂青史 (míng chuí qīng shǐ) literally means “name recorded in history” and expresses “eternal legacy”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance.
Also searched as: ming chui qing shi, ming chui qing shi,名垂青史 meaning, 名垂青史 in english
Eternal legacy
Pronunciation: míng chuí qīng shǐ Literal meaning: Name recorded in history
Origin & Usage
青史 is green history, and the colour is not decorative: records were written on bamboo, and fresh green bamboo had to be roasted over fire to sweat out its moisture before it would take ink and resist insects. So the phrase means a name (名) hanging down (垂) into the treated bamboo of the record. What it claims is permanence of a specific kind — not being remembered but being written where memory is no longer required. It is reserved for the historically significant and is heavy praise.
Examples
English: "His contributions to science ensured that his name would be remembered for generations."
Chinese: 他的科学贡献使得名垂青史，世世代代都有人铭记。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about success & perseverance
举世闻名
jǔ shì wén míng
Global recognition
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垂头丧气
chuí tóu sàng qì
Dejected; dispirited
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举世瞩目
jǔ shì zhǔ mù
Global attention
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流芳百世
liú fāng bǎi shì
Enduring good reputation
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人定胜天
rén dìng shèng tiān
Human effort can overcome nature
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人才辈出
rén cái bèi chū
Continuous talent emergence
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首屈一指
shǒu qū yī zhǐ
Foremost; top-ranked
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出人头地
chū rén tóu dì
Achieve outstanding success
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 名垂青史 mean in English?
名垂青史 (míng chuí qīng shǐ) literally translates to “Name recorded in history” and is used to express “Eternal legacy”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 名垂青史 used?
Situation: His contributions to science ensured that his name would be remembered for generations.
What is the pinyin for 名垂青史?
The pinyin pronunciation for 名垂青史 is “míng chuí qīng shǐ”.