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.
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
The name (名) matching (副) the reality (实). Cao Cao uses the equivalent phrase in a letter praising Wang Xiu, saying his repute and his substance corresponded and that he far surpassed ordinary men. Behind it lies the older Confucian preoccupation with 正名, the rectification of names, on the argument that disorder begins when what things are called stops matching what they are. Anything that turns out to live up to its billing.
Examples
English: "The restaurant truly lives up to its reputation as the best in town."
Chinese: 这家餐厅名副其实，确实是城里最好的。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about relationships & character
名存实亡
míng cún shí wáng
Exist in name only
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若无其事
ruò wú qí shì
Betray nothing of what happened
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言过其实
yán guò qí shí
Exaggerate; overstate
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长话短说
cháng huà duǎn shuō
Make a long story short
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拐弯抹角
guǎi wān mò jiǎo
Speak or act in deliberately indirect manner
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表里如一
biǎo lǐ rú yī
Be consistent inside and out
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莫名其妙
mò míng qí miào
Makes no sense
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画饼充饥
huà bǐng chōng jī
Empty promises satisfy nothing
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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: The restaurant truly lives up to its reputation as the best in town.
What is the pinyin for 名副其实?
The pinyin pronunciation for 名副其实 is “míng fù qí shí”.