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远近闻名 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
远近闻名yuǎnjìnwénmíngto be known far and wide; to be well-knownHSK 7, unknown, 29 strokes, rank #42317, Very Hard
yuǎnjìnwénmíng(yuan3jin4wen2ming2) T3
  1. 1to be known far and wide
  2. 2to be well-known
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March 24, 2026

远近闻名yuǎnjìnwénmíng(yuan3jin4wen2ming2)

The idiom 远近闻名 (yuǎn jìn wén míng) means 'famous both far and wide.' It describes someone or something that has a reputation recognized by people from distant places as well as those nearby. This phrase is often used to highlight the widespread acclaim of a person, place, or event.

Strokes29Frequency#42317DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, reputation is highly valued, and being 远近闻名 signifies a level of respect and acknowledgment from society. This idiom can often be heard in contexts discussing historical figures, celebrities, or traditional foods that have gained national or international fame.

Memory Tip

Imagine a famous artist whose paintings are so captivating that people travel from afar (远) and nearby (近) just to see them. The character '闻' (to hear) suggests that their fame is so great that everyone has heard (闻) about them, making them 'famous' (名).

Meanings of 远近闻名

yuǎnjìnwénmíng(yuan3jin4wen2ming2)
1to be known far and wide
2to be well-known
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About 远近闻名

远近闻名Simplified
29Strokes
Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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AI Study Notes for 远近闻名

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a famous artist whose paintings are so captivating that people travel from afar (远) and nearby (近) just to see them. The character '闻' (to hear) suggests that their fame is so great that everyone has heard (闻) about them, making them 'famous' (名).

Usage Notes

Use this idiom in both formal and informal settings to emphasize someone's widespread reputation. Common mistakes include using it to describe lesser-known subjects; it should be reserved for truly renowned entities. Be cautious with tone; ensure that '闻' (2nd tone) is pronounced correctly to avoid confusion.

HSK Study Tips

While this idiom itself is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to HSK 4 and 5 words like '名声' (fame) and '闻名' (to be famous). Students should focus on understanding how idioms enrich language and convey deeper meanings than single words.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, reputation is highly valued, and being 远近闻名 signifies a level of respect and acknowledgment from society. This idiom can often be heard in contexts discussing historical figures, celebrities, or traditional foods that have gained national or international fame.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse this idiom with similar phrases like '闻名遐迩' (wén míng xiá ěr), which has a similar meaning but is used in slightly different contexts. Ensure you use '远近闻名' when emphasizing both near and far recognition.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 远近闻名

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Idiom Spotlight: 远近闻名

Chengyu Origin Story
Literal meaning:far near heard famous

Component Characters

yuǎnfar
HSK 27 strokes
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jìnnear
HSK 27 strokes
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wénto hear
HSK 49 strokes
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míngname
HSK 26 strokes
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Cultural Notes for 远近闻名

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, reputation is highly valued, and being 远近闻名 signifies a level of respect and acknowledgment from society. This idiom can often be heard in contexts discussing historical figures, celebrities, or traditional foods that have gained national or international fame.

Frequently Asked Questions about 远近闻名

Only if the restaurant has already gained a significant reputation; otherwise, it may not be appropriate.

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