Chinese word

大名鼎鼎

Pronunciation

Pinyindà míng dǐng dǐng

Meaning

  • idiomfamous

Example

他是个大名鼎鼎的作家。tā shì gè dà míng díng dǐng de zuò jiā

He is a famous writer.

Illustration for 大名鼎鼎 (famous)

More examples

这位导演以大名鼎鼎的影片获得国际奖项。zhè wèi dáo yǎn yǐ dà míng díng dǐng de yǐng piàn huò dé guó jì jiǎng xiàng

This director won an international award for a well-known film.

Core concept

A name that stands out in public awareness wherever it is mentioned.

Common phrases

  • 大名鼎鼎的作家dà míng díng dǐng de zuò jiā

    well-known writer

  • 大名鼎鼎的作品dà míng díng dǐng de zuò pǐn

    well-known work

  • 大名鼎鼎的导演dà míng díng dǐng de dáo yǎn

    well-known director

Similar words

赫赫有名hè hè yǒu míng: Very famous because of notable achievements or status, with a distinguished reputation.
名闻遐迩míng wén xiá ěr: Known both nearby and in distant places, with a name carried widely from place to place.
声名远扬shēng míng yuǎn yáng: Having a reputation that travels far beyond its original area and becomes widely known.
名声在外míng shēng zài wài: Having a reputation known outside the local area by many people.

Definition in Chinese

表明某人或某物在公众中享有极高的知名度。biǎo míng mǒu rén huò mǒu wù zài gōng zhòng zhōng xiáng yǒu jí gāo de zhī míng dù

Word origin

In 大名鼎鼎 (dàmíngdǐngdǐng, "greatly renowned"), 大 (dà, "great") + 名 (míng, "name") is followed by repeated 鼎 (dǐng, "ancient ritual vessel"), adding a sense of imposing prominence to the name.

Usage tips

  • Its common noun-modifying pattern uses 的 (de, "structural particle"), so it fits phrases that identify a public figure, author, or work by their high profile.

Opposites

  • 名不见经传míng bú jiàn jīng zhuànlittle-knownidiom
  • 无名小卒wú míng xiǎo zúunknown minor figureidiom

Word lists with this word