Chinese word

名正言顺

Pronunciation

Pinyinmíng zhèng yán shùn

Meaning

  • idiomlegitimate

Example

这件事很名正言顺，大家都同意。zhè jiàn shì hěn míng zhèng yán shùn dà jiā dōu tóng yì

This matter is entirely legitimate, and everyone agrees.

Illustration for 名正言顺 (legitimate)

More examples

他的解释听起来并不名正言顺，大家还有疑问。tā de jiě shì tīng qǐ lái bìng bù míng zhèng yán shùn dà jiā hái yǒu yí wèn

His explanation does not sound legitimate, and everyone still has questions.

Core concept

A claim or course of action rests on solid grounds and fits the situation, leaving little room for objection.

Common phrases

  • 听起来并不名正言顺tīng qǐ lái bìng bù míng zhèng yán shùn

    does not sound legitimate

  • 名正言顺的说法míng zhèng yán shùn de shuō fǎ

    a legitimate argument

Similar words

理所当然lí suǒ dāng rán: Clearly the natural or proper outcome, so it seems only to be expected.
有理有据yóu lí yǒu jù: Resting on solid reasons and evidence that support the position or decision.
理直气壮lǐ zhí qì zhuàng: Justified by good reasons and presented in a bold, self-assured way.

Definition in Chinese

用于表示某项主张或处理有充分且正当的理由，因此合乎情理，难以被反驳。yòng yú biǎo shì mǒu xiàng zhǔ zhāng huò chú lǐ yǒu chōng fèn qiě zhèng dāng de lǐ yóu yīn cǐ hé hū qíng lǐ nán yǐ bèi fǎn bó

Word origin

The idiom joins 名 (míng, "name") and 正 (zhèng, "right") with 言 (yán, "words") and 顺 (shùn, "smoothly in accord"), linking a proper basis to words and reasoning that proceed correctly.

Usage tips

  • In everyday speech, this four-character idiom has a formal, polished tone and fits public explanations, written comments, or serious discussions better than relaxed chat.

Other meanings

  • justifiedidiom
  • properidiom
  • reasonableidiom

Word lists with this word