====== míngdān: 名单 - List (of names), Roster, Namelist ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** 名单, míngdān, Chinese for list, name list in Chinese, roster Chinese, blacklist, whitelist, class list, guest list, waiting list, what is míngdān, 清单 vs 名单
  * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese word **名单 (míngdān)**, which means a "list of names" or "roster." This page breaks down its meaning, cultural use, and practical applications, from creating a guest list for a party to understanding the serious implications of a government blacklist (黑名单). Discover the crucial difference between **名单** (for people) and **清单** (for items), a common point of confusion for learners.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** míngdān
  * **Part of Speech:** Noun
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 3
  * **Concise Definition:** A written list of people's names.
  * **In a Nutshell:** **名单 (míngdān)** is a straightforward and highly practical word. Think of it as a "name-sheet." It's not for your groceries or your to-do list; it's specifically for cataloging people. Whether it's a list of students in a class, guests at a wedding, or candidates for a job, if the list contains names, **名单** is the word you need.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **名 (míng):** This character's primary meaning is "name" or "reputation." Its ancient form depicts a mouth (口) and the character for evening (夕). One interpretation is that in the evening, when it was too dark to see, you had to call out someone's **name** to identify them.
  * **单 (dān):** This character means "list," "sheet," "single," or "odd (number)." In this context, it clearly means "list" or "sheet." Think of a single sheet of paper used to write things down.
  * When combined, **名 (míng)** + **单 (dān)** literally translates to "name-sheet," which perfectly captures the meaning of a "namelist" or "roster."
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
  * While **名单 (míngdān)** is a functional word, its usage highlights the importance of group structure and organization in Chinese culture. In a society that often emphasizes the collective over the individual, knowing who is "on the list" — who is part of the group, team, or event — is crucial. This applies to everything from the family unit to the work unit (`单位 dānwèi`) and national registers.
  * **Comparison with "List":** In English, "list" is a very broad term. You can have a "shopping list," "to-do list," or "guest list." In Chinese, there's a key distinction. **名单 (míngdān)** is almost exclusively for people. For a list of items, tasks, or objects, you would use **清单 (qīngdān)**. This specificity is a core feature of the word.
  * The concepts of **黑名单 (hēimíngdān - blacklist)** and **白名单 (báimíngdān - whitelist)** carry significant weight. Being placed on a blacklist, whether by a company or the government, means formal exclusion and can have severe social and economic consequences. Conversely, being on a whitelist signifies approval and inclusion. This binary of inclusion/exclusion via a list is a powerful social control mechanism.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
  * **名单** is a high-frequency word used in many everyday and official situations. Its connotation is generally neutral, but the context defines its feeling.
  * **Daily & Social Life:**
    * **客人名单 (kèrén míngdān):** Guest list for a party, wedding, or event.
    * **等候名单 (děnghòu míngdān):** Waiting list for a restaurant, a popular product, or a school.
    * **班级名单 (bānjí míngdān):** Class roster or list of students.
  * **Business & Official Contexts:**
    * **员工名单 (yuángōng míngdān):** Employee roster.
    * **候选人名单 (hòuxuǎnrén míngdān):** List of candidates for a job or position.
    * **获奖名单 (huòjiǎng míngdān):** List of award winners.
    * **黑名单 (hēimíngdān):** Blacklist. Used for unreliable clients, sanctioned companies, or blocked users online. This has a very strong negative connotation.
    * **白名单 (báimíngdān):** Whitelist. Used for approved customers, trusted IP addresses, or pre-authorized personnel. This is positive.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 老师正在念**名单**。
    * Pinyin: Lǎoshī zhèngzài niàn **míngdān**.
    * English: The teacher is reading the roster.
    * Analysis: A classic classroom scenario. `念 (niàn)` means "to read aloud." This is a very common use of the word.
  * **Example 2:**
    * 请把你的名字加到**名单**上。
    * Pinyin: Qǐng bǎ nǐ de míngzì jiā dào **míngdān** shàng.
    * English: Please add your name to the list.
    * Analysis: Demonstrates how to take action with a **名单**. `加到...上 (jiā dào...shàng)` means "to add onto."
  * **Example 3:**
    * 这是晚会的客人**名单**。
    * Pinyin: Zhè shì wǎnhuì de kèrén **míngdān**.
    * English: This is the guest list for the evening party.
    * Analysis: Shows how **名单** can be modified. Here, `客人 (kèrén)` specifies it's a "guest" list.
  * **Example 4:**
    * 他的名字在**名单**上吗？
    * Pinyin: Tā de míngzì zài **míngdān** shàng ma?
    * English: Is his name on the list?
    * Analysis: A simple and very useful question. `在...上 (zài...shàng)` is a common way to say "on" something.
  * **Example 5:**
    * 我们已经确定了面试的**名单**。
    * Pinyin: Wǒmen yǐjīng quèdìngle miànshì de **míngdān**.
    * English: We have already finalized the list for the interviews.
    * Analysis: A typical business context. `确定 (quèdìng)` means "to finalize" or "to confirm."
  * **Example 6:**
    * 这家公司被列入了政府的黑**名单**。
    * Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī bèi lièrùle zhèngfǔ de hēi**míngdān**.
    * English: This company was put on the government's blacklist.
    * Analysis: Shows the serious, negative use of **名单** as part of `黑名单 (hēimíngdān)`. The `被 (bèi)` structure indicates the passive voice.
  * **Example 7:**
    * 只有在白**名单**上的用户才能登录。
    * Pinyin: Zhǐyǒu zài bái**míngdān** shàng de yònghù cái néng dēnglù.
    * English: Only users on the whitelist can log in.
    * Analysis: The positive counterpart to the blacklist. `只有...才... (zhǐyǒu...cái...)` is a common structure meaning "only if...then...".
  * **Example 8:**
    * 我看了一下**名单**，发现少了一个人。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ kànle yīxià **míngdān**, fāxiàn shǎole yīgè rén.
    * English: I took a look at the list and discovered one person was missing.
    * Analysis: `少了一个人 (shǎole yīgè rén)` literally means "is less one person," a common way to say someone is missing.
  * **Example 9:**
    * 你能给我一**份**获奖**名单**吗？
    * Pinyin: Nǐ néng gěi wǒ yī **fèn** huòjiǎng **míngdān** ma?
    * English: Can you give me a copy of the award winners' list?
    * Analysis: This sentence introduces the correct measure word for a list, **份 (fèn)**.
  * **Example 10:**
    * 我们需要列一个与会者**名单**。
    * Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào liè yīgè yǔhuìzhě **míngdān**.
    * English: We need to make a list of meeting attendees.
    * Analysis: `列 (liè)` is a verb that means "to list" or "to make a list." It's the perfect verb to use with **名单**. `与会者 (yǔhuìzhě)` means "attendees."
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **The Golden Rule: `名单` is for people, `清单` is for things.**
    * This is the single most common mistake for English-speaking learners. In English, "list" is universal. In Chinese, it's specific.
  * **Incorrect Usage:**
    * `我想写一个购物**名单**。 (Wǒ xiǎng xiě yīgè gòuwù míngdān.)`
    * **Why it's wrong:** A shopping list contains items (milk, bread, eggs), not people. `名单` is incorrect here.
  * **Correct Usage:**
    * `我想写一个购物**清单**。 (Wǒ xiǎng xiě yīgè gòuwù qīngdān.)`
    * **Analysis:** `清单 (qīngdān)` is the correct word for an itemized list, like a shopping list, a packing list, or a list of assets.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[清单]] (qīngdān) - The counterpart to `名单`. An itemized list for things, tasks, or ingredients, not people. (e.g., shopping list `购物清单`).
  * [[黑名单]] (hēimíngdān) - A blacklist. A specific type of `名单` with a strong negative connotation of exclusion.
  * [[白名单]] (báimíngdān) - A whitelist. The opposite of a blacklist; a list of approved or permitted people/entities.
  * [[花名册]] (huāmíngcè) - A roster or register of names. It's very similar to `名单` but can feel slightly more formal or old-fashioned, often used for official school, military, or company rosters.
  * [[目录]] (mùlù) - A catalog, directory, or table of contents. This is a list for navigating a larger body of information, not just a simple list of names.
  * [[列表]] (lièbiǎo) - A general, sometimes technical, term for "list" or "listing." You might see this in software UI or data tables. It's less common in casual conversation than `名单` or `清单`.
  * [[报名]] (bàomíng) - To sign up; to register. This is the //action// of getting your name onto a `名单`.
  * [[候选人]] (hòuxuǎnrén) - A candidate. A person whose name would appear on a `候选人名单` (list of candidates).
  * [[点名]] (diǎnmíng) - To do a roll call. This is the //action// of reading a `名单` aloud to check for attendance.