Chinese word

名利

Pronunciation

Pinyinmíng lì

Meaning

  • nounfame and fortune

Example

不要为了名利伤害别人。bú yào wèi le míng lì shāng hài bié rén

Don't hurt others for fame and fortune.

Illustration for 名利 (fame and fortune)

More examples

她选择远离名利，过简单的生活。tā xuǎn zé yuǎn lí míng lì guò jiǎn dān de shēng huó

She chose to stay away from fame and fortune and live a simple life.

Core concept

Wanting public recognition and tangible advantage as part of the same ambition.

Common phrases

  • 贪图名利tān tú míng lì

    crave fame and fortune

  • 淡泊名利dàn bó míng lì

    be indifferent to fame and fortune

  • 远离名利yuǎn lí míng lì

    stay away from fame and fortune

Similar words

名声míng shēng: Fame and public recognition gained by being widely known.
名誉míng yù: A good social reputation earned through other people's respect and praise.
利益lì yì: Money or material gain obtained from an action or deal.
面子miàn zi: Social standing or outward dignity valued to appear respectable to others.

Definition in Chinese

名利指人们为获得社会上的名声与物质利益而追求的目标或欲望。míng lì zhǐ rén men wèi huò dé shè huì shàng de míng shēng yǔ wù zhì lì yì ér zhuī qiú de mù biāo huò yù wàng

Word origin

名利 (mínglì, "fame and fortune") combines 名 (míng, "reputation") + 利 (lì, "benefit"), joining social esteem with practical gain.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Chinese, this noun often appears when a speaker questions someone's motives, so it sounds more critical than a neutral mention of success or achievement.

Related words

  • 名利观míng lì guānview of fame and fortunenoun

Word lists with this word