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名 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
名míngnameHSK 2, q, 6 strokes, radical 口, rank #362, Medium
名míngnoun (part of speech)HSK 2, q, 6 strokes, radical 口, rank #362, Medium
名míngplace (e.g. among winners)HSK 2, q, 6 strokes, radical 口, rank #362, Medium
名míngfamousHSK 2, q, 6 strokes, radical 口, rank #362, Medium
名míngclassifier for peopleHSK 2, q, 6 strokes, radical 口, rank #362, Medium
名míngname; position, rank, titleHSK 2, q, 6 strokes, radical 口, rank #362, Medium
míng(ming2) T2
  1. 1name
  2. 2noun (part of speech)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
名míng(ming2)

The character 名 (míng) primarily means 'name' and is often used to refer to a person's name or title. It can also denote fame or reputation, as in being well-known. In various contexts, it serves as a classifier for people, indicating rank or position, especially in formal scenarios such as awards or competitions.

Strokes6Radical口Frequency#362DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, names often carry significant meaning and are chosen carefully to convey positive traits or aspirations. The importance of a person's name reflects the value placed on identity and reputation in social and professional contexts.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'mingling' crowd where everyone is calling out their names. The character 名 resembles a person holding a name tag, emphasizing the idea of identity and recognition. Picture the sound 'míng' as a bell ringing to announce someone's name, making it memorable.

Meanings of 名

míng(ming2)
1name
2noun (part of speech)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 名

名Simplified
6Strokes
口Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#362Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L2ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 名

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Podcast: 名

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AI Study Notes for 名

Quick Contrast

姓名 (xìngmíng) vs 名字 (míngzì) — use 姓名 for formal contexts or official documents, while 名字 is more casual.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a 'mingling' crowd where everyone is calling out their names. The character 名 resembles a person holding a name tag, emphasizing the idea of identity and recognition. Picture the sound 'míng' as a bell ringing to announce someone's name, making it memorable.

Usage Notes

When using 名, be mindful of its formal connotations; it often appears in contexts like names of famous people or titles. Common phrases include '姓名' (xìngmíng) for 'full name' and '名声' (míngshēng) for 'fame.' Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words that may have different tones or meanings.

HSK Study Tips

名 is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, but it's essential for learners at all levels due to its frequent use in names and formal contexts. Students should focus on pronunciation and practice recognizing it in compound words related to identity and reputation.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, names often carry significant meaning and are chosen carefully to convey positive traits or aspirations. The importance of a person's name reflects the value placed on identity and reputation in social and professional contexts.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 名 with similar characters like 名字 (míngzì), which means 'name' but is more specific. A common mistake is to say '我叫名' (wǒ jiào míng) instead of '我叫...' (wǒ jiào ...), which is the correct way to introduce oneself by name.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 名

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Etymology of 名

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Traditionally explained as identifying youself at night (夕) by saying (口) your name (名) because is too dark for others to see you.

Memory Hint

A name called out 口 to hail someone at night 夕

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 名?

Decomposition of 名

IDS Structure⿸夕口
名Full Character
=
夕xi1
enclosing
口kou3
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 名?

Write 名

名

Practice writing 名 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 名

名 functions as a measure word. Place it between a number/demonstrative and the noun it counts (一本书, 这个人). Different categories of nouns require different measure words. It carries 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons6
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

我们得为50万____顾客的利益着想。

We have the interest of 500,000 customers to think of.

Example Sentences for 名 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我们得为50万名顾客的利益着想。

wǒ mén dé wéi50 50 wàn míng gù kè de lì yì zháo。

We have the interest of 500,000 customers to think of.
2
佛罗里达州坦帕市法庭判决5名官员的毒品交易罪名成立。

fó luó lǐ dá zhōu tǎn pà shì fǎ tíng pàn jué5 5 míng guān yuán de dú pǐn jiāo yì zuì míng chéng。

A court at Tampa, Florida has convicted five officials on drugs charges.
3
索米尔周围的白垩质土壤出产著名的安茹葡萄酒。

suǒ mǐ ěr zhōu wéi de bái è zhì tǔ rǎng chū chǎn zhù míng de ān rú pú táo jiǔ。

The chalky soil around Saumur produces the famous Anjou wines.
4
惠特比镇因为布拉姆·斯托克著名的吸血鬼故事而名传后世。

huì tè bǐ zhèn yīn wéi bù lā mǔ· · sī tuō kè zhù míng de xī xiě guǐ gù shì ér míng chuán hòu。

The town of whitby was immortalised in Bram Stoker's famous Dracula story.
5
类似劳埃德保险公司的那些丑闻令伦敦名声扫地。

lèi sì láo āi dé bǎo xiǎn gōng sī de nà xiē chǒu wén líng lún dūn míng shēng sǎo dì。

The City's reputation has been sullied by scandals like those at Lloyd's.
6
两名警官正在接受检察官的审查。

liǎng míng jǐng guān zhèng zài jiē shòu jiǎn chá guān de shěn chá。

The two officers were being investigated by the director of public prosecutions.
7
从公司可以查到离你最近的零售商的名字。

cóng gōng sī kě yǐ chá dào lí nǐ zuì jìn de líng shòu shāng de míng zì。

The name of your nearest stockist is available from the company.
8
“阿道弗斯·克林，我以贩毒的罪名逮捕你。”——“什么？”

“ “ ā dào fú· sī ·， kè lín ， wǒ yǐ fàn dú de zuì míng。”——“ dài bǔ？”

"Adolphus Kelling, I arrest you on a charge of trafficking in narcotics."—"What?"
9
你知道，战争期间我是一名陆军少校。

nǐ zhī dào， ， zhàn zhēng qī jiān wǒ shì yī míng lù jūn shǎo。

I was a major in the war, you know.
10
当局会派一名义工来帮助你。

dāng jú huì pài yī míng yì gōng lái bāng zhù nǐ。

The Authority will provide a welfare worker to assist you.

Cultural Notes for 名

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, names often carry significant meaning and are chosen carefully to convey positive traits or aspirations. The importance of a person's name reflects the value placed on identity and reputation in social and professional contexts.

Word Family of 名

Compounds9
铭ming2to engrave
酩ming3drunk, tipsy, intoxicated
茗ming2tea; tea leaves; tea plant
銘ming2to engrave, to inscribe
洺
眳ming2eye ridge
佲
姳
詺
Words Containing This Character20
名míngname
名字míngziname (of a person or thing)
著名zhùmíngfamous
名单míngdānlist (of names)名單
签名qiānmíngto autograph簽名
报名bàomíngto sign up報名
排名páimíngranking
名人míngrénpersonage
知名zhīmíngwell-known
姓名xìngmíngfull name
名义míngyìname名義
名叫called
罪名accusation
名称míngchēngname (of a thing)名稱
提名tímíngto nominate
名牌míngpáifamous brand
出名chūmíngwell-known for sth
命名mìngmíngto dub
有名yǒumíngfamous
名片míngpiàn(business) card
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 铭 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 名

名 (míng) refers to a person's given name, while 姓 (xìng) indicates the family name or surname.