CHENGYU
名不虚传(míng bù xū chuán)meaning, story and origin
- Register:
- neutral, approving
- Source:
- 《史记·游侠列传》
MEANING
- Literal
- the reputation is not spread in vain
- Figurative meaning
- to live up to one's reputation
ORIGIN STORY
The Records of the Grand Historian says of the wandering knights: "Their names are not spoken in vain, and scholars do not follow them for nothing." The phrase confirms that a fame worth having is one the facts support.
NATURAL EQUIVALENT
“to live up to one's name”
EXAMPLES
这家的菜果然好吃，真是名不虚传。Zhè jiā de cài guǒrán hǎochī, zhēn shì míng bù xū chuán.HSK6
The food is as good as promised — the reputation is not in vain.
早就听说他棋艺高超，今日一见，名不虚传。Zǎo jiù tīngshuō tā qíyì gāochāo, jīnrì yí jiàn, míng bù xū chuán.HSK6
I had heard of his chess mastery — seeing it today, the fame is deserved.
COMMON MISTAKE
Watch out: It confirms a good reputation with first-hand evidence — not "unknown" or "underrated".
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TRUST & SOURCES
- Reviewed by
- AI-assisted editorial review
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-15
- CC-CEDICT 2026-01-01