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名声 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
名声míngshēngreputationHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #4311, Very Hard
míngshēng(ming2sheng1)ming sheng T2
  1. 1reputation
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March 24, 2026

名声(名聲)míngshēng(ming2sheng1)

名声 (míngshēng) refers to one's reputation or fame, particularly in the context of how a person is perceived by others based on their actions and character. It is commonly used to discuss a person's standing in society, which can be positive or negative depending on the circumstances.

Strokes13Frequency#4311DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, maintaining a good 名声 is crucial, as it reflects not only on the individual but also on their family. Confucian values emphasize the importance of reputation in social harmony and family honor.

Memory tip

Think of 名 (míng) as 'name' and 声 (shēng) as 'sound' – together they create the idea of a 'name that sounds good', which is how people perceive your reputation. Imagine a town crier announcing the good deeds of a person, enhancing their名声.

Meanings of 名声

míngshēng(ming2sheng1)
1reputation
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About 名声

名声Simplified
名聲Traditional
13Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 名声

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AI study notes for 名声

Quick Contrast

名气 (míngqì) - use 名声 when emphasizing moral character or social standing, while 名气 focuses more on public recognition or popularity.

Usage Notes

名声 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but it may carry a more serious tone in discussions about ethics or achievements. Be careful not to confuse it with fame (明星 míngxīng), which has a more glamorous connotation. Common collocations include: 维护名声 (wéihù míngshēng - maintain one's reputation).

HSK Study Tips

名声 is relevant for HSK 4 and above due to its abstract nature. It connects with words like 评价 (píngjià - evaluation) and 信誉 (xìnyù - credibility), so students should focus on understanding how reputation impacts social interactions.

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is to use 名声 in a context where 声誉 (shēngyù) would be more appropriate, such as in formal discussions about achievements. For example, saying 他有很好的名声 in a formal award context could be less suitable than 他有很好的声誉.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 名声

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Component characters

名míngname
HSK 26 strokes口
View full entry
声shēngsound
HSK 37 strokes士
View full entry

How to say reputation in Chinese

“reputation” in Chinese is名声míngshēng

名声 (míngshēng) refers to one's reputation or fame, particularly in the context of how a person is perceived by others based on their actions and character. It is commonly used to discuss a person's standing in society, which can be positive or negative depending on the circumstances.

When to use 名声

名声 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but it may carry a more serious tone in discussions about ethics or achievements. Be careful not to confuse it with fame (明星 míngxīng), which has a more glamorous connotation. Common collocations include: 维护名声 (wéihù míngshēng - maintain one's reputation).

名声 or something close to it

名气 (míngqì) - use 名声 when emphasizing moral character or social standing, while 名气 focuses more on public recognition or popularity.

What learners get wrong

A common mistake is to use 名声 in a context where 声誉 (shēngyù) would be more appropriate, such as in formal discussions about achievements. For example, saying 他有很好的名声 in a formal award context could be less suitable than 他有很好的声誉.

Write 名声

名
声

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Cultural Notes for 名声

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

While reputation is important in both Chinese and Western cultures, in Chinese society, it is often more tied to family and community expectations than in many Western contexts, where individual achievement may be more emphasized.

Frequently asked questions about 名声

You can say 他的名声很好 (tā de míngshēng hěn hǎo - His reputation is very good).

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