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名言 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
名言míngyánsayingHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #11736, Very Hard
名言míngyánfamous remarkHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #11736, Very Hard
míngyán(ming2yan2)ming yan T2
  1. 1saying
  2. 2famous remark
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March 24, 2026

名言míngyán(ming2yan2)

名言 (míngyán) refers to a well-known saying or famous remark that expresses a significant truth or insight. These sayings are often quoted in various contexts, such as literature, speeches, or everyday conversation, to convey wisdom or provoke thought.

Strokes13Frequency#11736DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

名言 are integral to Chinese culture, often reflecting Confucian values and philosophies. They are frequently used in education and public discourse to inspire and guide moral behavior.

Memory tip

Imagine a 'name' (名) that is associated with a 'remark' (言) that everyone knows. Picture a famous philosopher giving an impactful quote that becomes a 'name' in history. The character for 'name' (名) looks like a person standing with a speech bubble, representing the important message.

Meanings of 名言

míngyán(ming2yan2)
1saying
2famous remark
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 名言

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

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AI study notes for 名言

Quick Contrast

名句 (míngjù) — choose 名言 for sayings that are particularly famous or widely recognized, while 名句 can refer to any notable phrase, regardless of fame.

Usage Notes

名言 is typically used in both formal and informal contexts, making it versatile. A common mistake is to confuse it with other similar terms like '名句' (míngjù), which specifically refers to famous lines from literature. Be mindful of the tone as it can convey respect or authority.

HSK Study Tips

Although 名言 is not commonly found in HSK vocabulary lists, it connects well with phrases about wisdom and knowledge. Students should focus on recognizing its usage in quotes and literature, as it enhances their understanding of cultural references.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 名言 interchangeably with 俗语 (súyǔ), which means 'proverb' and has a different connotation. Correctly, 名言 refers to notable quotes, while 俗语 refers to common sayings.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 名言

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Component characters

名míngname
HSK 26 strokes口
View full entry
言yánwords
7 strokes言
View full entry

How to say saying in Chinese

“saying” in Chinese is名言míngyán

名言 (míngyán) refers to a well-known saying or famous remark that expresses a significant truth or insight. These sayings are often quoted in various contexts, such as literature, speeches, or everyday conversation, to convey wisdom or provoke thought.

When to use 名言

名言 is typically used in both formal and informal contexts, making it versatile. A common mistake is to confuse it with other similar terms like '名句' (míngjù), which specifically refers to famous lines from literature. Be mindful of the tone as it can convey respect or authority.

名言 or something close to it

名句 (míngjù) — choose 名言 for sayings that are particularly famous or widely recognized, while 名句 can refer to any notable phrase, regardless of fame.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use 名言 interchangeably with 俗语 (súyǔ), which means 'proverb' and has a different connotation. Correctly, 名言 refers to notable quotes, while 俗语 refers to common sayings.

Write 名言

名
言

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Frequently asked questions about 名言

You can say, '这句名言让我思考很多' (This famous saying made me think a lot).

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