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 hēimíngdān.
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 báimíngdān 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…”.
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.