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名不符實

简名不符实 · 繁名不符實

Mandarin · pinyin míng bù fú shí

the name does not correspond to reality (idiom); it doesn't live up to its reputation

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Characters in this entry

名: míng · name, rank, title, position
不: bù · no, not; un-; negative prefix
符: fú · i.d. tag, tally, symbol, charm
實: shí · real, true, solid, honest
实: shí · real, true; honest, sincere

Written characters and their own readings; the entry’s pronunciation is shown above.

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Mandarin tones

2–4–2–2 · ming2 bu4 fu2 shi2

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Read this spelling in Classical texts

Follow a written form into the eight pinned witnesses: Analects, Mencius, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Xunzi, Han Feizi, Sunzi and the Mao Shijing. A match is a place to investigate; it does not prove that a modern dictionary sense fits the passage.

名不符實 · find source passages ↗ · 名不符实 · find source passages ↗

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Compare dictionary sources Wiktionary · 1 sense · 1 Cantonese reading

Rime Cantonese 粵拼

ming4 bat1 fu4 sat6

Cantonese word readings for 名不符實. This lexicon supplies readings, not definitions.

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Wiktionary English definitions · Chinese section

Independent source senses for this spelling, with usage labels retained. Not matched to the pronunciation above.

phrase

(idiomatic) synonym of 名不副實 /名不副实 (míngbùfùshí, “the name falls short of the reality; to be unworthy of the name”)

Source page · dump 2026-09-02 · Contributors & history

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