Chinese word

名气

Pronunciation

Pinyinmíng qì

Meaning

  • nounfame

Example

这个演员的名气越来越高。zhè ge yǎn yuán de míng qì yuè lái yuè gāo

This actor's fame is growing.

Illustration for 名气 (fame)

More examples

他的第一部电影让他有了更多的名气。tā de dì yí bù diàn yǐng ràng tā yǒu le gèng duō de míng qì

His first movie brought him more fame.

Core concept

How far a name travels through society, bringing recognition and public attention.

Common phrases

  • 有名气yǒu míng qì

    be well-known

  • 提高名气tí gāo míng qì

    boost fame

  • 扩大名气kuò dà míng qì

    expand fame

Similar words

名声míng shēng: The established public view of a person or thing, built up over time.
知名度zhī míng dù: The extent to which a name or existence is known to the public.
影响力yíng xiǎng lì: The degree of power a person or thing has over other people's views and behavior.

Definition in Chinese

表示一个人或事物在社会中被多少人知道和谈论的程度，包含被传播和讨论的意味。biǎo shì yí gè rén huò shì wù zài shè huì zhōng bèi duō shǎo rén zhī dào hé tán lùn de chéng dù bāo hán bèi chuán bō hé tǎo lùn de yì wèi

Word origin

名气 (míngqì, "fame") is formed from 名 (míng, "name") and 气 (qì, "air or energy"), linking a known name with the influence that spreads around it.

Usage tips

  • English speakers often link public recognition with achievement, but this word can describe attention gained through exposure even when it says nothing about skill or merit.

Other meanings

  • reputationnoun

Opposites

  • 无名小卒wú míng xiǎo zúunknown personnoun

Related words

  • 名气儿míng qìrfamenoun

Word lists with this word