举世闻名

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: jǔ shì wén míng
• English Translation: World-famous (Known throughout the world)
• Idiom Composition: 「举」（Whole or all (used here to mean the entirety of something, as in 'the whole country')）＋「世」（The world or the era）＋「闻」（To be heard of or to be known (in a passive sense)）＋「名」（Name or fame）
• Meaning: To be so extremely famous that the entire world knows of it. Beyond mere popularity, it carries a sense of admiration and recognition for great achievements, historical value, or exceptional quality.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「举世闻名」 contains the following nuances:

• Global Scale: As indicated by the characters 举世 (jǔ shì), meaning 'the whole world,' this idiom emphasizes that the fame is international and not limited to a specific region.
• Positive Evaluation: This term is strictly for positive recognition. It is used for heritage, great people, or inventions. For negative notoriety, a different term like 臭名昭著 (chòu míng zhāo zhù), meaning 'notorious,' would be used.

3. Usage

「举世闻名」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Tourism and Historical Landmarks: A standard way to introduce iconic national landmarks like the Great Wall or the Pyramids.
  • Example:「中国的万里长城是举世闻名的古代建筑奇迹。」
    （The Great Wall of China is a world-famous miracle of ancient architecture.）
• People and Artists: Used to honor the achievements of scientists, writers, or artists with global influence.
  • Example:「这位钢琴家凭借其精湛的技艺，早已举世闻名。」
    （This pianist has long been world-famous for his exquisite skill.）
• Specialty Products and Brands: Used to emphasize the international reputation of a specific region's products or a global brand.
  • Example:「法国的葡萄酒举世闻名，深受各国消费者的喜爱。」
    （French wine is world-famous and deeply loved by consumers in every country.）

Additional Examples:

1. 这座博物馆收藏了许多举世闻名的艺术珍品。
   （This museum houses many world-famous artistic treasures.）
2. 爱因斯坦是举世闻名的物理学家，他的理论改变了我们对宇宙的认知。
   （Einstein was a world-famous physicist whose theories changed our understanding of the universe.）
3. 这里出产的丝绸质地优良，举世闻名。
   （The silk produced here is of excellent quality and is world-famous.）
4. 那场举世闻名的战役成为了历史的转折点。
   （That world-famous battle became a turning point in history.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Register: This is a formal 'written language' (书面语) expression. It is preferred in official speeches and news. In casual conversation with friends, using 很有名 (hěn yǒu míng) is more natural.
• Origin: The phrase traces back to the Family Instructions of the Yan Clan (颜氏家训) by Yan Zhitui (颜之推), though it has evolved into a standard modern adjective phrase.
• Nuance: While similar to 驰名中外 (chí míng zhōng wài), which means 'famous inside and outside of China,' 举世闻名 (jǔ shì wén míng) carries a grander, more majestic tone.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 驰名中外 (chí míng zhōng wài): Fame that has spread both within China and abroad.
  • 名扬四海 (míng yáng sì hǎi): Fame that resounds across the 'four seas' (the entire world).
  • 大名鼎鼎 (dà míng dǐng dǐng): Very famous or renowned.link
  • 家喻户晓 (jiā yù hù xiǎo): Known to every household; widely known.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 默默无闻 (mò mò wú wén): To be obscure and unknown, lacking any fame.link
  • 鲜为人知 (xiǎn wéi rén zhī): To be known by very few people.
  • 不为人知 (bù wéi rén zhī): Not known by others.link

6. Summary

举世闻名 (jǔ shì wén míng) is a prestigious idiom used to describe subjects with a global reputation. It is a highly positive expression typically reserved for historical landmarks, great figures, or superior products. While common in formal contexts like travel guides, news reports, and biographies, it is less frequent in casual daily conversation.