远近闻名

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: yuǎn jìn wén míng
• English Translation: Widely known, famous both near and far
• Idiom Composition: 「远」（Far）＋「近」（Near）＋「闻」（To be heard, to be known）＋「名」（Name, reputation）
• Meaning: Describes something or someone whose name is known both near and far. It means being widely recognized or famous. This idiom can be used not only for people but also for places, objects, or events.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「远近闻名」 contains the following nuances:

• Wide-ranging fame: Emphasizes being known by many people regardless of geographical distance.
• High reputation: Implies not only being known by name but also having a good reputation and high regard.
• Excellence: Suggests being famous due to excellence or special achievements in a certain field.

3. Usage

「远近闻名」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Reputation of people or things: Used to express that a person or thing has a very high reputation and is widely known.
  • Example:「这家餐厅的菜肴远近闻名，吸引了许多外地游客前来品尝。」
    （The dishes of this restaurant are widely known, attracting many tourists from afar to taste them.）
• Fame of a place: Indicates that a place is famous for a particular reason.
  • Example:「这个小镇因为美丽的自然风光而远近闻名，成为旅游热点。」
    （This small town is famous for its beautiful natural scenery and has become a tourist hotspot.）
• Impact of an event: Expresses that an event is widely known and has a significant impact.
  • Example:「那次地震的消息远近闻名，引起了全世界的关注。」
    （The news of that earthquake spread far and wide, attracting worldwide attention.）

Additional Examples:

1. 他的医术高超，远近闻名，许多病人慕名而来。
   （His medical skills are excellent and widely known, attracting many patients who come because of his reputation.）
2. 这个品牌的产品质量上乘，远近闻名，深受消费者喜爱。
   （This brand's products are of high quality and famous, deeply loved by consumers.）
3. 这位教授的学术成就远近闻名，经常受邀到世界各地演讲。
   （The professor's academic achievements are widely known, and he is often invited to give lectures around the world.）
4. 这座古寺远近闻名，每年都吸引着大量的信徒前来朝拜。
   （This ancient temple is famous, attracting many worshippers every year.）
5. 他的小说远近闻名，已经被翻译成多种语言。
   （His novels are widely known and have already been translated into multiple languages.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Importance of reputation in Chinese culture: In traditional Chinese culture, reputation and fame have been highly valued. The idiom '远近闻名' reflects this cultural background.
• Positive connotation: '远近闻名' is generally used with a positive meaning, indicating not just fame but also good reputation and high regard.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 名扬四海 (míng yáng sì hǎi): Being widely known and famous everywhere.
  • 声名远播 (shēng míng yuǎn bō): Reputation spreading far and wide.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 默默无闻 (mò mò wú wén): Being completely unknown to the world.

6. Summary

'远近闻名' is an idiom that describes people, things, or places that are widely known and highly regarded. Rooted in the traditional Chinese cultural emphasis on reputation, it conveys not just fame but also good reputation and excellence. When using this idiom, being aware of the qualities or reasons behind the widespread recognition helps effectively convey the magnitude of the fame.