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大名鼎鼎

*The explanations on this page are generated by AI. Please note that they may contain inaccurate information.

1. Basic Information

  • Pinyin: dà míng dǐng dǐng
  • English Translation: Renowned / Having a great reputation
  • Idiom Composition: 「大」（Great or big.）＋「名」（Name or reputation.）＋「鼎鼎」（Grand, majestic, or flourishing. This is a reduplicated form derived from the word 鼎 (dǐng), an ancient ceremonial vessel.）
  • Meaning: A phrase used to describe someone whose fame is immense and widely recognized. It implies that the person is not just well-known, but possesses significant authority or prestige in their field.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「大名鼎鼎」 contains the following nuances:

  • Magnitude of Fame: It goes beyond simply being 'famous' (有名; yǒu míng); it emphasizes that the reputation is grand, majestic, and carries weight.
  • Target of Description: While it can occasionally describe objects or places, it is overwhelmingly used to describe people.
  • Public Recognition: It refers to social or professional recognition on a broad scale, rather than just having many personal acquaintances.

3. Usage

「大名鼎鼎」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

  • Introducing a celebrity or authority: Used when introducing a star or an expert in a specific field to emphasize their high status and the respect they command.
    • Example:「这位就是大名鼎鼎的李教授，他在物理学界享有极高的声誉。」
      （This is the renowned Professor Li, who enjoys an extremely high reputation in the field of physics.）
  • Confirming a reputation upon meeting: Used when meeting someone you have heard much about, similar to the English expression 'I've heard so much about you.'
    • Example:「原来您就是大名鼎鼎的张总，久仰久仰！」
      （So you are the famous CEO Zhang; I have looked forward to meeting you for a long time!）
  • Irony or Sarcasm: Used among friends to tease someone or to criticize someone who is well-known for a negative trait.
    • Example:「我还以为是谁呢，原来是大名鼎鼎的迟到大王啊。」
      （I wondered who it was; turns out it's the notorious King of Lateness.）

Additional Examples:

  1. 那家餐厅的主厨在美食界可是大名鼎鼎的人物。
    （The head chef of that restaurant is a highly renowned figure in the culinary world.）
  2. 虽然他现在大名鼎鼎，但以前也经历过很多挫折。
    （Although he is famous now, he went through many setbacks in the past.）
  3. 这部电影是由一位大名鼎鼎的导演执导的。
    （This movie was directed by a well-known director.）
  4. 没想到在这个小镇上也能见到大名鼎鼎的钢琴家。
    （I didn't expect to meet such a celebrated pianist in this small town.）
  5. 别看他年纪小，在围棋界已经是大名鼎鼎了。
    （Despite his young age, he is already widely known in the Go community.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

  • The character 鼎 (dǐng) refers to an ancient Chinese tripod cauldron. In history, the 鼎 (dǐng) was a symbol of state power and high social standing. Using the reduplicated form 鼎鼎 (dǐng dǐng) evokes a sense of grandiosity and solemnity.
  • In Chinese social etiquette, using 大名鼎鼎 (dà míng dǐng dǐng) to describe oneself would be considered extremely arrogant. It is a term reserved for showing respect to others.
  • This idiom is more formal and impactful than the basic word for famous, 有名 (yǒu míng), and is frequently used in both literature and professional introductions.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

6. Summary

The idiom 大名鼎鼎 (dà míng dǐng dǐng) is a common way to describe individuals with a towering reputation. It is typically used to introduce or compliment others, highlighting their influence and status. Because Chinese culture values modesty, this term is never used to describe oneself. While usually positive, it can be used sarcastically to mock someone who is 'famous' for the wrong reasons.

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