Chinese word

点名

Pronunciation

Pinyindiǎn míng

Meaning

  • verbtake attendance

Example

老师在教室里点名。lǎo shī zài jiào shì lǐ diǎn míng

The teacher takes attendance in the classroom.

Illustration for 点名 (take attendance)

More examples

会议开始前，秘书会根据名单点名与会者。huì yì kāi shǐ qián mì shū huì gēn jù míng dān diǎn míng yù huì zhě

Before the meeting starts, the secretary will take attendance of the participants according to the list.

Core concept

A name-by-name check that creates a clear record of who is present.

Common phrases

  • 老师点名lǎo shī diǎn míng

    teacher takes attendance

  • 点名学生diǎn míng xué shēng

    take attendance for students

  • 按名单点名àn míng dān diǎn míng

    take attendance according to a list

Similar words

签到qiān dào: Record being present by writing a name or signing on arrival.
登记dēng jì: Record a name or necessary details formally in a register or system.

Definition in Chinese

用念名字或在名单上做记号来确认人员是否到场的动作yòng niàn míng zì huò zài míng dān shàng zuò jì hào lái què rèn rén yuán shì fǒu dào chǎng de dòng zuò

Word origin

点名 (diǎnmíng, "take attendance") combines 点 (diǎn, "mark or check") with 名 (míng, "name"), reflecting names checked one by one.

Usage tips

  • English frames this action around attendance, while Chinese keeps the focus on each person's name, a useful contrast in classroom and meeting conversations.

Other meanings

  • call out namesverb
  • roll callnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 点名表diǎn míng biǎoattendance sheetnoun
  • 点名簿diǎn míng bùattendance registernoun

Word lists with this word