Learn a Chinese Character - 名

1. Character Basics

Radical: \u0022\u540d\u0022 (The character itself is a radical, meaning "name" or "fame")

Stroke Count: 6 strokes

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: míng (Second tone)

3. Meaning

Name; fame; reputation; title; rank; well-known; famous; renowned; distinguished; notable; celebrated; to name; to call; to designate; to specify

4. Common Words

• \u0022\u540d\u5b57\u0022 (míng zì) - Name (of a person or thing)
• \u0022\u540d\u8005\u0022 (míng zhě) - Celebrity; famous person; notable figure
• \u0022\u540d\u5927\u0022 (míng dà) - Famous; well-known; renowned
• \u0022\u540d\u4e49\u0022 (míng yì) - Name and meaning; nominal; titular
• \u0022\u540d\u79f0\u0022 (míng chēng) - Name; designation; title
• \u0022\u540d\u6c11\u0022 (míng xìng) - Surname; family name
• \u0022\u540d\u63cf\u0022 (míng xíng) - Name and appearance; reputation and reality
• \u0022\u540d\u89c6\u0022 (míng shì) - Fame and status; reputation and position

5. Grammar & Usage

The character \u0022\u540d\u0022 can function as both a noun and a verb, with meanings related to names, fame, and designation.

• As a noun: Refers to a person's name, title, reputation, or fame
• As a verb: Means "to name", "to call", or "to designate"
• In compound nouns: Forms terms related to names, fame, and reputation (e.g., \u0022\u540d\u5b57\u0022 name, \u0022\u540d\u8005\u0022 celebrity)
• In adjective compounds: Forms adjectives meaning "famous" or "well-known" (e.g., \u0022\u540d\u5927\u0022 famous, \u0022\u8363\u540d\u0022 prestigious)
• In idiomatic expressions: Used in set phrases that emphasize reputation or recognition (e.g., \u0022\u540d\u9a8c\u4e00\u4eba\u0022 a test of one's name/fame)

6. Cultural Background

In Chinese culture, names hold profound significance. The character \u0022\u540d\u0022 represents not just a personal identifier but also carries cultural, familial, and sometimes philosophical connotations.

Traditionally, Chinese names are carefully chosen to reflect virtues, aspirations, or hopes for the individual's future. This character also relates to the concept of reputation and legacy, emphasizing how one's name and actions are remembered by others.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

The character \u0022\u540d\u0022 has 6 strokes and is composed of two parts: \u0022\u540d\u53f3\u0022 (right part, meaning "mouth") and \u0022\u540d\u5de6\u0022 (left part, derived from "moon" or "dark").

• Remember it has 6 simple strokes, making it easy to write
• The left part originally represented "dark" or "evening," while the right part "mouth" suggests calling out or announcing
• Associate it with words you already know like \u0022\u540d\u5b57\u0022 (name) or \u0022\u540d\u8005\u0022 (celebrity)
• In Chinese culture, names are very important, so connecting the character to this cultural significance can help with memorization