míngyù: 名誉 - Reputation, Honor

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• Summary: Discover the meaning of 名誉 (míngyù), a crucial Chinese term for “reputation” or “honor.” This page explains how `名誉` refers to the formal, public, and often legally protected good name of a person, company, or institution. Learn the critical difference between `名誉` and the more personal concept of `面子 (miànzi)`, and see how to use it correctly in business, legal, and academic contexts through practical examples.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): míngyù
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: The formal reputation, good name, or honor of an individual or organization.
• In a Nutshell: Think of `名誉` as your official public record of being a good, respectable entity. It's less about social embarrassment (like `面子`) and more about your fundamental character and standing in the community or an industry. Damaging someone's `名誉` is a serious offense, like slander or libel, while having a good `名誉` is a valuable asset for a person, a company, or even a country.

• 名 (míng): Name, fame, title. This character is often described as a combination of `夕 (xī)` - “evening/dusk” and `口 (kǒu)` - “mouth.” The ancient interpretation is calling out someone's name with your mouth when it's too dark to see them. It represents identity and what you are called.
• 誉 (yù): Praise, reputation, honor. This character is composed of `言 (yán)` - “speech” and `与 (yǔ)` - “to give.” Together, it literally means “to give words” of praise.
• The two characters combine to mean “the praise and honor associated with one's name,” which perfectly encapsulates the concept of a publicly acknowledged good reputation.

In Chinese culture, maintaining a good public image is paramount. While many learners are familiar with 面子 (miànzi), or “face,” `名誉 (míngyù)` operates on a different, more formal level. The most crucial distinction to understand is:

• `名誉 (míngyù)` is your objective, long-term, and public reputation. It's built over time through actions and character. It can be legally defended. Think of it as a corporation's brand reputation or a scholar's academic standing.
• `面子 (miànzi)` is your subjective, situational, and social prestige. It's about not being embarrassed in a specific interaction. It can be “given,” “saved,” or “lost” in daily life.

For example, if a boss publicly scolds an employee for a minor mistake, the employee loses `面子`. However, if the boss falsely accuses that employee of stealing, the boss is damaging the employee's `名誉`. The first is a social faux pas; the second is a serious attack on character that could warrant legal action (infringing on their `名誉权 - míngyùquán`, or “right to reputation”). This concept highlights the societal value placed on one's public standing and the collective's judgment of an individual's or group's integrity.

`名誉` is a formal word. You won't hear it used in casual, everyday conversations among friends. Its usage is primarily reserved for more serious or official situations.

This is the most common context for `名誉`. It is the specific legal term for reputation in cases of defamation.

• `损害名誉 (sǔnhài míngyù)` - to damage/harm a reputation
• `侵犯名誉权 (qīnfàn míngyùquán)` - to infringe upon the right to reputation
• `恢复名誉 (huīfù míngyù)` - to restore/rehabilitate a reputation

Companies and institutions have a `名誉` that they must protect.

• `公司名誉 (gōngsī míngyù)` - company reputation
• `学校名誉 (xuéxiào míngyù)` - school/university reputation
• It is also used in titles, like `名誉校长 (míngyù xiàozhǎng)` - Honorary Principal/Chancellor or `名誉主席 (míngyù zhǔxí)` - Honorary Chairman.

While less common, an individual might speak of their `名誉` when their fundamental character or family's good name is at stake. It implies a level of seriousness far beyond just being embarrassed.

• Example 1:
  • 他的谣言严重损害了我的名誉。
  • Pinyin: Tā de yáoyán yánzhòng sǔnhài le wǒ de míngyù.
  • English: His rumors seriously damaged my reputation.
  • Analysis: This is a classic example of `名誉` used in the context of slander or libel. The damage is to one's fundamental public standing, not just temporary embarrassment.
• Example 2:
  • 这所大学在学术界有很高的名誉。
  • Pinyin: Zhè suǒ dàxué zài xuéshùjiè yǒu hěn gāo de míngyù.
  • English: This university has a very high reputation in the academic world.
  • Analysis: Here, `名誉` refers to the long-term, established good name of an institution. 声誉 (shēngyù) could also be used here.
• Example 3:
  • 为了保护家族的名誉，他选择了沉默。
  • Pinyin: Wèile bǎohù jiāzú de míngyù, tā xuǎnzé le chénmò.
  • English: In order to protect his family's honor, he chose to remain silent.
  • Analysis: This usage is more personal but still carries a very formal and serious weight, referring to the collective good name of a family over generations.
• Example 4:
  • 他被授予“名誉教授”的称号。
  • Pinyin: Tā bèi shòuyǔ “míngyù jiàoshòu” de chēnghào.
  • English: He was awarded the title of “Honorary Professor.”
  • Analysis: `名誉` is frequently used to mean “honorary,” signifying a title given as an honor rather than through fulfilling the usual requirements.
• Example 5:
  • 这家公司非常注重自己的商业名誉。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī fēicháng zhùzhòng zìjǐ de shāngyè míngyù.
  • English: This company pays great attention to its business reputation.
  • Analysis: In a business context, `名誉` is closely related to brand integrity and customer trust. Here, it could also be replaced by the more specific 信誉 (xìnyù) (credibility).
• Example 6:
  • 法院判决被告向原告道歉，为其恢复名誉。
  • Pinyin: Fǎyuàn pànjué bèigào xiàng yuángào dàoqiàn, wèi qí huīfù míngyù.
  • English: The court ordered the defendant to apologize to the plaintiff to restore his/her reputation.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the legal power behind `名誉`. Restoring it (`恢复名誉`) is a formal, often court-mandated, process.
• Example 7:
  • 作为一个医生，没有什么比病人的信任和自己的名誉更重要了。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi yīgè yīshēng, méiyǒu shénme bǐ bìngrén de xìnrèn hé zìjǐ de míngyù gèng zhòngyào le.
  • English: As a doctor, nothing is more important than the trust of patients and one's own professional reputation.
  • Analysis: Highlights `名誉` as a professional asset built on integrity and skill.
• Example 8:
  • 他不惜一切代价维护自己的名誉。
  • Pinyin: Tā bùxī yīqiè dàijià wéihù zìjǐ de míngyù.
  • English: He protected his reputation at all costs.
  • Analysis: This phrasing emphasizes the high value placed on one's `名誉`. The verb `维护 (wéihù)` - to maintain/defend - is often paired with `名誉`.
• Example 9:
  • 那个丑闻让他的名誉扫地。
  • Pinyin: Nàge chǒuwén ràng tā de míngyù sǎodì.
  • English: That scandal made his reputation sweep the floor (i.e., utterly destroyed his reputation).
  • Analysis: `名誉扫地 (míngyù sǎodì)` is a common and vivid chengyu (idiom) meaning “to have one's reputation dragged through the mud” or “to be completely discredited.”
• Example 10:
  • 他是一位名誉主席，不参与日常管理。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì yī wèi míngyù zhǔxí, bù cānyù rìcháng guǎnlǐ.
  • English: He is an honorary chairman and does not participate in daily management.
  • Analysis: Another example of `名誉` used as “honorary” to denote a respected but non-operational role.

• Mistaking `名誉` for `面子`: This is the #1 mistake for learners. Never use `名誉` for everyday social situations.
  • Incorrect: `你没来我的派对，让我很没名誉。` (Nǐ méi lái wǒ de pàiduì, ràng wǒ hěn méi míngyù.)
  • Reason: Not attending a party is a social slight that might cause someone to lose face (`没面子 - méi miànzi`), but it doesn't ruin their fundamental reputation.
  • Correct: `你没来我的派对，让我很没面子。` (Nǐ méi lái wǒ de pàiduì, ràng wǒ hěn méi miànzi.)
• Confusing `名誉` with “Fame” (`有名`): `名誉` specifically implies a good reputation. Someone can be famous (`有名 - yǒumíng`) but have a terrible `名誉`. For example, a notorious criminal is famous, but you would say he has a `坏名声 (huài míngshēng)` - a bad reputation, not that he lacks `名誉`.

• 面子 (miànzi) - “Face”; social prestige in a specific interaction. The most important contrast to `名誉`.
• 声誉 (shēngyù) - Reputation, prestige. A very close synonym to `名誉` and often interchangeable. `声誉` can sometimes carry a stronger sense of being built up from what people say about you (word-of-mouth).
• 名声 (míngshēng) - Reputation, fame. Also a close synonym, but can be neutral or negative. One can have a `好名声` (good reputation) or a `坏名声` (bad reputation), whereas `名誉` itself is almost always positive.
• 荣誉 (róngyù) - Honor, glory, credit. Refers more to the feeling of being honored or the specific awards/titles that bring glory (e.g., a medal is a type of `荣誉`). `名誉` is the state of having a good name; `荣誉` is the prize for it.
• 信誉 (xìnyù) - Credibility, credit, trustworthiness. A more specific type of reputation related to reliability, especially in business and finance. A company with good `信誉` is trusted to pay its debts.
• 诽谤 (fěibàng) - Slander, defamation. The act of verbally damaging someone's `名誉`.
• 名誉权 (míngyùquán) - Right to reputation. A legal term referring to one's right to not be slandered or libeled.
• 名誉教授 (míngyù jiàoshòu) - Honorary Professor. A common compound word showing `名誉` used to mean “honorary.”