名不正，言不顺 — “If the name is not correct, the words will not be smooth”
名不正，言不顺 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “When a person's title or status is not legitimate or properly established, their words and actions will lack authority, justification, and persuasion, making it difficult to command respect or achieve their goals”. Literally, “If the name is not correct, the words will not be smooth”.
名不正，言不顺 Pronunciation and Pinyin
名不正，言不顺 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 名不正，言不顺
Origin and Story of 名不正，言不顺
During the Spring and Autumn period, Confucius traveled with his disciples through various states.
When they arrived in the State of Wei again, the political situation had undergone significant changes. Duke Chu of Wei had driven out his father to ascend the throne. Confucius considered this situation to be '名不正，言不顺' (if the name is not correct, the words will not be smooth).
Grandee Kong Kui offered Confucius a large sum of gold to legitimize Duke Chu, arguing that his claim to the throne was justified. Confucius sternly refused his request, emphasizing the importance of proper titles and legitimacy.
Idioms Related to 名不正，言不顺
Antonyms of 名不正，言不顺
More idioms starting with 名
- míng名xià下wú无xū虚live up to one's reputation
- míng名bù不fù副shí实the name does not match the reality
- míng名bù不fú符shí实unworthy of its reputation
- míng名bù不xū虚chuán传live up to its reputation
- míng名bù不xū虚dé得fame well-deserved
- míng名bù不xū虚lì立to live up to one's name
- míng名bù不xū虚xíng行live up to one's reputation
- míng名shū书zhú竹bó帛Achieve lasting fame in history
- míng名shū书jǐn锦zhóu轴achieve lasting fame in history
- míng名cóng从zhǔ主rén人Name follows owner's preference
- míng名qīng倾yī一shí时enjoy widespread temporary fame
- míng名gōng公dà大bǐ笔A masterpiece by a renowned writer
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Open the tool →Questions about 名不正，言不顺
What does 名不正，言不顺 mean?
名不正，言不顺 (míng bù zhèng ， yán bù shùn) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “When a person's title or status is not legitimate or properly established, their words and actions will lack authority, justification, and persuasion, making it difficult to command respect or achieve their goals”.
How do you pronounce 名不正，言不顺?
名不正，言不顺 is pronounced míng bù zhèng ， yán bù shùn in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 名不正，言不顺 literally mean?
Literally, 名不正，言不顺 means “If the name is not correct, the words will not be smooth”. It is used to mean “When a person's title or status is not legitimate or properly established, their words and actions will lack authority, justification, and persuasion, making it difficult to command respect or achieve their goals”.
Where does 名不正，言不顺 come from?
名不正，言不顺 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 名不正，言不顺?
指名分不正或名实不符。