举世闻名

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: jǔ shì wén míng
• English Translation: World-renowned, famous worldwide
• Idiom Composition: 「举」（All over）＋「世」（World）＋「闻」（To be heard, to be known）＋「名」（Fame, reputation）
• Meaning: To be known throughout the world. It describes a person or thing that is extremely famous, and whose reputation is widely known across the globe.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「举世闻名」 contains the following nuances:

• Global recognition: Emphasizes that the fame is not just local, but known to people across the world, transcending borders.
• High reputation: Implies that the fame is not only widespread but also based on positive evaluation and respect.
• Outstanding achievements: Often used to describe individuals who have achieved outstanding accomplishments in a certain field or historically significant events.

3. Usage

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

• High recognition of people or things: Used to describe world-famous people, places, or things.
  • Example:「长城是中国的标志性建筑，举世闻名。」
    （The Great Wall is an iconic Chinese landmark, world-renowned.）
• Significance of achievements or contributions: Used to emphasize the achievements of a person or the historical significance of an event.
  • Example:「他是一位举世闻名的科学家，对人类的贡献巨大。」
    （He is a world-renowned scientist who has made immense contributions to humanity.）

Additional Examples:

1. 这部电影一经上映，便举世闻名，票房大卖。
   （As soon as this movie was released, it became world-renowned and was a box office hit.）
2. 这个发明因其创新性而举世闻名。
   （This invention became world-famous due to its innovativeness.）
3. 她的歌声美妙动听，举世闻名。
   （Her singing voice is beautiful and melodious, world-renowned.）
4. 爱因斯坦是一位举世闻名的物理学家。
   （Einstein is a world-renowned physicist.）
5. 这家公司以其高质量的产品和优质的服务而举世闻名。
   （This company is world-renowned for its high-quality products and excellent service.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Emphasis on reputation: In traditional Chinese culture, fame and reputation have been highly valued. '举世闻名' reflects this cultural background, encompassing not just recognition but also social evaluation and respect.
• Potential for exaggeration: '举世闻名' is a very strong expression, so using it for something that is not truly world-famous might be perceived as an exaggeration. It is important to carefully consider whether the subject truly deserves to be called 'world-renowned' before using this idiom.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 名扬四海 (míng yáng sì hǎi): Fame spreading far and wide.
  • 声名远播 (shēng míng yuǎn bō): Reputation spreading far and wide.
  • 名满天下 (míng mǎn tiān xià): Fame filling the world.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 默默无闻 (mò mò wú wén): Unknown, obscure.
  • 无人问津 (wú rén wèn jīn): Unnoticed, ignored by everyone.

6. Summary

'举世闻名' is a very strong expression used to describe people or things that possess both global recognition and high esteem. When using this idiom, it is crucial to carefully assess whether the subject truly deserves to be called 'world-renowned' and to use it in an appropriate context. Furthermore, understanding the importance of fame in Chinese culture will allow for a deeper comprehension of this idiom.