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March 24, 2026
名字míngzi(ming2zi5)
名字 (míngzi) means 'name' in Mandarin, referring to the designation of a person or thing. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts to ask for or provide someone's name or the name of an object.
Strokes12Frequency#259DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, names often carry significant meaning and are chosen with care, sometimes reflecting family heritage or aspirations for the individual. The significance of names in social interactions is paramount.
Memory Tip
Think of 名 (míng) as a 'bright' or 'famous' name that brings recognition, combined with 字 (zì), which means 'character' or 'word'. Imagine a bright light illuminating a person's name on a marquee, making it unforgettable.
Meanings of 名字
míngzi(ming2zi5)
1name (of a person or thing)
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About 名字
名字Simplified
12Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#259Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L1HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 名字
Podcast: 名字
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AI Study Notes for 名字
Quick Contrast
昵称 (nìchēng) vs 名称 (míngchēng) — use 昵称 for informal or affectionate names, while 名称 is more formal and refers to the official title or designation.
Usage Notes
Be careful with tones; 名 (míng) has a rising tone while 字 (zì) has a falling tone. Common mistakes include mispronouncing it as 'mingzi' instead of the correct 'míngzi'. In informal settings, you might hear just 名 (míng) when referring to one's name.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 1 word, 名字 is foundational for conversations about identity. Students should practice using it in questions like '你叫什么名字?' (What is your name?) to reinforce its usage.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse the pronunciation by saying 'mingzi' instead of the correct 'míngzi', resulting in a tone error. Additionally, they may forget to use the measure word 个 (gè) when referring to it, saying '我有名字' instead of '我有一个名字' (I have a name).
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Pronunciation of 名字
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“name (of a person or thing)” in Chinese is名字míngzi
名字 (míngzi) means 'name' in Mandarin, referring to the designation of a person or thing. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts to ask for or provide someone's name or the name of an object.
When to use 名字
Be careful with tones; 名 (míng) has a rising tone while 字 (zì) has a falling tone. Common mistakes include mispronouncing it as 'mingzi' instead of the correct 'míngzi'. In informal settings, you might hear just 名 (míng) when referring to one's name.
名字 or something close to it
昵称 (nìchēng) vs 名称 (míngchēng) — use 昵称 for informal or affectionate names, while 名称 is more formal and refers to the official title or designation.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse the pronunciation by saying 'mingzi' instead of the correct 'míngzi', resulting in a tone error. Additionally, they may forget to use the measure word 个 (gè) when referring to it, saying '我有名字' instead of '我有一个名字' (I have a name).
Write 名字
名
字
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Grammar Patterns of 名字
名字 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
