To call out one's name in the dark for identification.
A name, fame, reputation, or title; to be called. Dusk (夕) plus a mouth (口) calling out a name.
名
Common Usage & Traps
- 名字 — name
- 有名 — famous
- 名叫 — to be named
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我的名是...我的名字是...In modern Mandarin, 'name' is the two-syllable word 名字. The single character 名 cannot stand alone as a noun in everyday speech.
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一个名一个名字名 cannot be counted by itself; use the full word. Use 名字 when you need a countable noun.
Can I just say '名' instead of '名字' when talking about a name?
No, in modern Mandarin you almost always need the full word 名字.
名 cannot stand alone as a complete word. It appears in compounds like 名字, 有名, and 名叫, but it cannot stand alone as a noun in everyday speech. Saying 我的名是... or 一个名 sounds unnatural. Always use 名字 when referring to a name in conversation.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday speech | 我的名字是李明。 | 我的名是李明。 |
| Counting | 一个名字 | 一个名 |
| Compound usage | 有名、名叫 | 名 alone as noun |
Are 名 and 明 the same?
No, 名 means 'name' and 明 means 'bright'—different characters.
名 (míng) has 夕 (evening) on top and 口 (mouth) below, meaning 'name'. 明 (míng) has 日 (sun) and 月 (moon), meaning 'bright'. They are pronounced the same but are completely different in meaning and writing. Pay attention to the components.
| Dimension | 名 | 明 |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | name | bright |
| Components | 夕 + 口 | 日 + 月 |
| Example | 名字 (name) | 明天 (tomorrow) |
Appears in Stories 6 stories
In this warm dialogue, a parent introduces their family at a restaurant. A teacher gently corrects common mistakes about family words and names, making it perfect for HSK 2 learners.
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我的朋友说这个饭馆虽然很小，但是很 有名 。
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那是我的大儿子，他的 姓名 是“小明”。
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B:“小明”是你儿子的 名字 ，但是不是“ 姓名 ”。
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他的姓是钱，所以他的 姓名 是“钱小明”。
Discover how a simple letter from a cookie seller led to an unexpected friendship with a famous scholar. This heartwarming story explores kindness and connection across social divides.
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胡之适是一位 有名 的学者。
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小人物 名叫 元真。
Before you read, try clapping the rhythm. This poem introduces the days of the week and a fun secret: Chinese has two names for Sunday, but no 'Week Seven'!
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星期天，星期日，两个 名字 都可以。
Learn the fascinating story behind the Chinese idiom '东山再起' (Dongshan Zaiji), which means to make a comeback. Discover its historical roots and modern usage.
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有个叫谢安的人，很有才华，也很有 名气 。
Think instant noodles are unhealthy? This HSK 6 article challenges common myths and reveals surprising facts about nutrition, oil, and salt in this convenient food.
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误会三：含油量不利于健康我国一般 著名 品牌的油炸方便面的含油率为18%至20%，与国际上基本相同。
Ever wondered where old Beijing's tea-drinking culture has gone? Follow a visitor discovering why locals now avoid famous tea houses—and practice expressing surprise and comparisons in Chinese along the way.
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北京有一个 有名 的老茶馆儿，叫“老舍茶馆”。
Questions & Discussion 0 questions
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