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March 24, 2026
名义(名義)míngyì(ming2yi4)
名义 (míngyì) refers to a name or title that is often used in a nominal or formal sense rather than reflecting the actual situation. It is commonly used in contexts where something is described by its title or purpose but may not necessarily align with reality, such as in legal or bureaucratic language.
Frequency#3868DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the distinction between title and actual authority can be significant, especially in business and government contexts, where someone may hold a position in name only, emphasizing the importance of hierarchy and appearances.
Memory Tip
Think of 名 (míng) as a 'name' and 义 (yì) as 'meaning' or 'purpose'. Imagine a character named 'Mr. Name' who claims to be a CEO in title only, but everyone knows he doesn’t run the company. This image connects the pronunciation and meaning of 名义.
Meanings of 名义
míngyì(ming2yi4)
1name
2titular
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About 名义
名义Simplified
名義Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 名义
Podcast: 名义
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AI Study Notes for 名义
Quick Contrast
名义 (míngyì) vs 名称 (míngchēng): choose 名义 when referring to a title that may not reflect reality, while 名称 refers specifically to the actual name or designation of something.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 名 (míng) as a 'name' and 义 (yì) as 'meaning' or 'purpose'. Imagine a character named 'Mr. Name' who claims to be a CEO in title only, but everyone knows he doesn’t run the company. This image connects the pronunciation and meaning of 名义.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 名义 with similar phrases like 目的 (mùdì, purpose) or 理由 (lǐyóu, reason). It is more formal and often used in legal or official contexts. A common collocation is '以名义' (yǐ míngyì, in name of).
HSK Study Tips
名义 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, but understanding it can enhance your comprehension of legal and formal documents. Focus on recognizing its usage in sentences and how it pairs with other formal terms.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the distinction between title and actual authority can be significant, especially in business and government contexts, where someone may hold a position in name only, emphasizing the importance of hierarchy and appearances.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 名义 by applying it in casual contexts, resulting in awkward sentences. For example, saying '我以名义邀请你来' (I invite you in name) instead of a more appropriate '我邀请你来' (I invite you).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 名义
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Cultural Notes for 名义
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the distinction between title and actual authority can be significant, especially in business and government contexts, where someone may hold a position in name only, emphasizing the importance of hierarchy and appearances.
Frequently Asked Questions about 名义
No, 名义 is more commonly used in formal settings like legal documents or official discussions.
Yes, it can suggest that something is only true in name and not in reality, such as a nominal leader who does not perform their duties.
Common phrases include '以名义' (in the name of) and '名义上' (nominally).
