Chinese Conversation · Level 82
61 words
Chinese word
名分
Pronunciation
Pinyinmíng fèn
Meaning
- nounpretext
Example
别把过去的事当名分指责我。bié bǎ guò qù de shì dāng míng fèn zhǐ zé wǒ
Don't use past events as a pretext to criticize me.
More examples
他们终于拿到名分，事情才算稳定。tā men zhōng yú ná dào míng fèn shì qíng cái suàn wěn dìng
They finally gained legitimacy, and only then could the situation be considered stable.
Core concept
An outwardly accepted place or justification that supports a person's conduct.
Common phrases
拿到名分ná dào míng fèn
gain legitimacy
保住名分bǎo zhù míng fèn
retain legitimacy
Similar words
理由lǐ yóu: An explanation of why an action, event, or decision happens.
借口jiè kǒu: An untrue explanation offered to conceal the real purpose of an action.
名义míng yì: A formal position or stated justification that supports an action's public acceptability.
Definition in Chinese
指作为某种理由或名目，用来说明、证明或掩饰行为正当性的说法，往往与社会认可的身份或形式有关。zhǐ zuò wéi móu zhóng lǐ yóu huò míng mù yòng lái shuō míng zhèng míng huò yǎn shì xíng wéi zhèng dāng xìng de shuō fǎ wáng wǎng yǔ shè huì rèn kě de shēn fèn huò xíng shì yǒu guān
Word origin
名 (míng, "name or title") + 分 (fèn, "assigned role or place") comes from the idea that proper titles and assigned positions define how conduct is publicly understood and accepted.
Usage tips
- In discussions of relationships, it can mark public or social recognition rather than emotional closeness, especially when a relationship lacks an officially accepted place.
Other meanings
- statusnoun