HSK · Level 59
105 words
Chinese word
名义
Pronunciation
Pinyinmíng yì
Meaning
- nounname
Example
他们以和平的名义签署了协议。tā men yǐ hé píng de míng yì qiān shǔ le xié yì
They signed the agreement in the name of peace.
More examples
一些公司以减税的名义将利润转移到海外。yì xiē gōng sī yǐ jiǎn shuì de míng yì jiāng lì rùn zhuǎn yí dào hǎi wài
Some companies transfer profits overseas in the name of tax cuts.
Core concept
The respectable name placed over an action to make it seem properly authorized or justified.
Common phrases
以...的名义yǐ de míng yì
in the name of ___
打着...的名义dǎ zhe de míng yì
under the pretext of ___
Similar words
借口jiè kǒu: A made-up reason used to hide the real reason for an action.
动机dòng jī: The inner cause or personal reason that leads someone to act.
理由lǐ yóu: The cause or explanation for why something happens or is done.
Definition in Chinese
将某种身份、名头或理由作为行为的依据或幌子，用以赋予行动表面的合法性或正当性，但未必是真实理由。jiāng móu zhǒng shēn fèn míng tóu huò lǐ yóu zuò wéi xíng wéi de yī jù huò huǎng zi yòng yǐ fù yǔ xíng dòng biǎo miàn de hé fǎ xìng huò zhèng dāng xìng dàn wèi bì shì zhēn shí lǐ yóu
Word origin
名义 (míngyì, "name or grounds") is built from 名 (míng, "name") and 义 (yì, "rightness or justice"), so its form links an outward name with the grounds that appear to support it.
Usage tips
- English speakers may hear a stated reason as a full explanation, but this word can leave room for an unstated motive behind the stated one.