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名气 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
名气míngqireputationHSK 6, unknown, 10 strokes, rank #10393, Hard
名气míngqifameHSK 6, unknown, 10 strokes, rank #10393, Hard
míngqi(ming2qi5)ming qi T2
  1. 1reputation
  2. 2fame
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March 24, 2026

名气(名氣)míngqi(ming2qi5)

名气 (míngqì) refers to a person's reputation or fame, particularly in relation to their achievements or public recognition. It is often used in contexts discussing someone's standing in society or the popularity of a brand or product. The term emphasizes how well-known a person or thing is among the public.

Strokes10Frequency#10393DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, having good 名气 is often seen as essential for success, especially in fields like entertainment and business. Public figures are heavily scrutinized, and their 名气 can greatly influence their careers and public perception.

Memory tip

Imagine a famous singer named Ming who has a shining star (气) in the sky representing her celebrity status. The character 名 (míng) resembles a name tag, while 气 (qì) can be visualized as the atmosphere filled with admiration around her. Together, they form the idea of a well-known name that carries fame.

Meanings of 名气

míngqi(ming2qi5)
1reputation
2fame
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About 名气

名气Simplified
名氣Traditional
10Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 名气

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Podcast: 名气

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AI study notes for 名气

Quick Contrast

名声 (míngshēng) - use 名气 for a focus on public recognition, while 名声 emphasizes the reputation aspect.

Usage Notes

A common mistake learners make is confusing 名气 with 名声 (míngshēng), which also means reputation but has a more formal nuance. Use 名气 in informal contexts or when discussing popularity, while 名声 is better suited for formal discussions. Pay attention to the tone; mispronouncing it could change the meaning.

HSK Study Tips

名气 is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, but it can be linked to vocabulary related to social status and recognition found in intermediate levels. Focus on using it in sentences that describe people’s careers or achievements to practice contextual usage.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 名气 with 声望 (shēngwàng), which is more formal and can imply respect rather than just popularity. For example, saying '他的名气很高' (Tā de míngqì hěn gāo) is correct, while '他的声望很大' (Tā de shēngwàng hěn dà) may sound awkward if used informally.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 名气

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Component characters

名míngname
HSK 26 strokes口
View full entry
气qìgas
HSK 44 strokes气
View full entry

How to say reputation in Chinese

“reputation” in Chinese is名气míngqi

名气 (míngqì) refers to a person's reputation or fame, particularly in relation to their achievements or public recognition. It is often used in contexts discussing someone's standing in society or the popularity of a brand or product. The term emphasizes how well-known a person or thing is among the public.

When to use 名气

A common mistake learners make is confusing 名气 with 名声 (míngshēng), which also means reputation but has a more formal nuance. Use 名气 in informal contexts or when discussing popularity, while 名声 is better suited for formal discussions. Pay attention to the tone; mispronouncing it could change the meaning.

名气 or something close to it

名声 (míngshēng) - use 名气 for a focus on public recognition, while 名声 emphasizes the reputation aspect.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 名气 with 声望 (shēngwàng), which is more formal and can imply respect rather than just popularity. For example, saying '他的名气很高' (Tā de míngqì hěn gāo) is correct, while '他的声望很大' (Tā de shēngwàng hěn dà) may sound awkward if used informally.

Write 名气

名
气

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Frequently asked questions about 名气

No, 名气 can also refer to the fame of brands, products, or even concepts.

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