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名著 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
名著míngzhùmasterpieceHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #19120, Very Hard
míngzhù(ming2zhu4)ming zhu T2
  1. 1masterpiece
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March 24, 2026

名著míngzhù(ming2zhu4)

名著 (míngzhù) refers to a famous literary work or masterpiece that is well-regarded and often studied. It is commonly used in the context of literature, art, and significant cultural texts that have made a lasting impact.

Strokes17Frequency#19120DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture,名著 often refers to classical literature, such as '红楼梦' (Dream of the Red Chamber) or '三国演义' (Romance of the Three Kingdoms), which are not only literary achievements but also reflect historical and philosophical ideas intrinsic to Chinese identity.

Memory tip

Imagine a 'name' (名) shining brightly on a 'book' (著) cover, symbolizing its importance and recognition. 'Ming' sounds like 'mingling' which you do when discussing great books, while 'zhu' connects to 'zoo' where you showcase rare animals, just like a masterpiece showcases exceptional talent.

Meanings of 名著

míngzhù(ming2zhu4)
1masterpiece
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About 名著

名著Simplified
17Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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AI study notes for 名著

Quick Contrast

经典 (jiāndīng) - use 名著 when specifically referring to a famous work, while 经典 emphasizes enduring significance or classic status.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 名著 with other terms for books or works; it specifically implies a high level of acclaim. It is typically used in formal contexts, such as academic discussions or literary critiques. Common collocations include '阅读名著' (read masterpieces) and '名著推荐' (recommendations of masterpieces).

HSK Study Tips

名著 is relevant for learners at HSK level 4 and above, as it connects to themes of literature and culture. Students should focus on understanding the context in which this term is used, especially in discussions around famous authors and their works.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 名著 to refer to any book, but it specifically denotes a masterpiece. For example, saying '这本书是名著' (This book is a masterpiece) is incorrect if the book is not widely recognized; instead, use '这本书很有名' (This book is very famous) for non-masterpieces.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 名著

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Component characters

名míngname
HSK 26 strokes口
View full entry
著zheto make known
11 strokes艹
View full entry

How to say masterpiece in Chinese

“masterpiece” in Chinese is名著míngzhù

名著 (míngzhù) refers to a famous literary work or masterpiece that is well-regarded and often studied. It is commonly used in the context of literature, art, and significant cultural texts that have made a lasting impact.

When to use 名著

Be careful not to confuse 名著 with other terms for books or works; it specifically implies a high level of acclaim. It is typically used in formal contexts, such as academic discussions or literary critiques. Common collocations include '阅读名著' (read masterpieces) and '名著推荐' (recommendations of masterpieces).

名著 or something close to it

经典 (jiāndīng) - use 名著 when specifically referring to a famous work, while 经典 emphasizes enduring significance or classic status.

What learners get wrong

Learners often misuse 名著 to refer to any book, but it specifically denotes a masterpiece. For example, saying '这本书是名著' (This book is a masterpiece) is incorrect if the book is not widely recognized; instead, use '这本书很有名' (This book is very famous) for non-masterpieces.

Write 名著

名
著

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Frequently asked questions about 名著

名著 typically includes novels, poetry, and essays that have gained recognition over time for their artistic or intellectual merit.

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