HSK · Level 114
45 words
Chinese word
默默无闻
Pronunciation
Pinyinmò mò wú wén
Meaning
- idiomunknown
Example
他一直默默无闻，但很努力。tā yì zhí mò mò wú wén dàn hěn nǔ lì
He has always been unknown, but he works very hard.
More examples
许多科学家选择默默无闻地做研究，不求名利。xǔ duō kē xué jiā xuǎn zé mò mò wú wén dì zuò yán jiū bù qiú míng lì
Many scientists choose to conduct research while remaining unknown, without seeking fame or profit.
Core concept
A person or work remains in the background even while sustained effort continues unnoticed.
Common phrases
默默无闻的学者mò mò wú wén de xué zhě
an unknown scholar
保持默默无闻bǎo chí mò mò wú wén
remain unknown
成为默默无闻的人chéng wéi mò mò wú wén de rén
become an unknown person
Similar words
名不见经传míng bú jiàn jīng zhuàn: Refers to a person or work whose name and achievements are not widely known.
无人问津wú rén wèn jīn: Receives little public interest or attention and is largely left alone.
Definition in Chinese
形容没有名声，行为不引人注意，多指长期默默付出却不被人知晓的人或事。xíng róng méi yǒu míng shēng xíng wéi bù yǐn rén zhù yì duō zhǐ cháng qī mò mò fù chū què bú bèi rén zhī xiǎo de rén huò shì
Word origin
默默 (mòmò, "silently") + 无闻 (wúwén, "unknown") combines silent action with being unheard of, creating a picture of effort that never reaches public attention.
Usage tips
- English speakers may connect success with fame, but this Chinese idiom can describe a capable person's long record of work without treating limited publicity as a fault.
Other meanings
- unnoticedidiom
Opposites
- 声名显赫shēng míng xiǎn hèbe highly renownedidiom
- 闻名遐迩wén míng xiá ěrbe famous far and wideidiom
Related words
- 默默mò mòquietlyadverb
- 无闻wú wénunknownadjective