míngqì: 名气 - Fame, Reputation

Keywords: mingqi, míngqì, 名气, fame in Chinese, reputation in Chinese, Chinese word for famous, renown, popularity, celebrity, 有名, 著名, HSK 5

Summary: Learn the essential Chinese noun 名气 (míngqì), which translates to “fame,” “renown,” or “reputation.” This page breaks down its meaning, cultural significance, and practical use. Discover how `名气` differs from Western ideas of fame and its connection to cultural concepts like “face” (面子). Ideal for beginners and intermediate learners looking to understand a key aspect of Chinese social and business culture.

Pinyin (with tone marks): míngqì

Part of Speech: Noun

HSK Level: HSK 5

Concise Definition: The degree to which a person, place, or brand is known by the public; fame or renown.

In a Nutshell: `名气` is the “name energy” someone or something possesses. Think of it as a measure of public recognition. If many people know your name, you have a lot of `名气` (名气很大). It's less about whether people think you're good or bad, and more about how widespread your name is. It's the quantity of your fame, not necessarily the quality of your reputation.

名 (míng): This character means “name.” It can also mean “fame,” “famous,” or “rank.” Pictorially, it's often described as a combination of 夕 (xī - “evening”) and 口 (kǒu - “mouth”), symbolizing the act of calling out one's name in the dark to identify oneself.

气 (qì): This character means “air,” “gas,” “spirit,” or “energy.” It's a fundamental concept in Chinese culture, representing a life force or an intangible aura (like in `天气` tiānqì - weather, or `生气` shēngqì - to get angry).

Combined Meaning: When you put 名 (name) and 气 (air/energy) together, you get `名气`—the “aura of one's name” or the “energy” that a name projects into the public sphere. It’s the invisible but palpable presence and recognition that a name carries.

In Chinese culture, `名气` is a significant measure of success and influence. A person with great `名气`, whether a scholar, an artist, or a business leader, commands respect and is seen as having achieved a high status.

Comparison with Western “Fame”: While similar to “fame,” `名气` is a more neutral term. In the West, “fame” can sometimes have a negative connotation of being fleeting or superficial (“15 minutes of fame”). `名气`, however, is a more straightforward measure of being well-known. A respected professor can have `名气` in academic circles, and a popular restaurant can have `名气` among foodies. It's less about celebrity glamour and more about recognition.

Connection to 面子 (miànzi - Face): Having a high degree of `名气` directly contributes to one's 面子 (miànzi), or social standing. Being famous gives you “face,” making it easier to build relationships (关系 guānxi) and achieve goals. Conversely, losing `名气` or having it tarnished can cause a significant loss of face.

`名气` is used constantly in daily life to discuss people, products, and places.

Describing People: You can say someone `有名气` (yǒu míngqì - has fame/is famous) or `名气很大` (míngqì hěn dà - is very famous). It's used for celebrities, experts, and even local figures.

Business and Brands: A brand's success is often measured by its `名气`. Companies spend fortunes on marketing to `提高名气` (tígāo míngqì - increase their fame/brand recognition).

Places: A restaurant, shop, or tourist spot can have `名气`. For example, “这家饭馆很有名气” (This restaurant is very famous).

Formality: The term is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

False Friend: “Reputation”: Do not automatically translate “reputation” as `名气`. If you mean to say “he has a good reputation for being honest,” you should use `声誉` or say he `名声很好` (míngshēng hěn hǎo), not `名气很好`. Using `名气` only says he is well-known, not why.

`有名 (yǒu míng)` - The most common adjective for “famous.” A direct descriptor.

`著名 (zhùmíng)` - A more formal and respectful adjective for “famous” or “celebrated,” often used for renowned experts, historical figures, and landmarks.

`出名 (chūmíng)` - A verb meaning “to become famous” or “to make a name for oneself.”

`声誉 (shēngyù)` - Reputation; the qualitative aspect of how one is known, focusing on character and public trust.

`名声 (míngshēng)` - Similar to `声誉`, this means “reputation” and can be explicitly good or bad (e.g., `好名声` vs. `坏名声`).

`人气 (rénqì)` - “Popularity,” literally “person energy.” Refers to how much people like someone. A person can have `名气` (be well-known) but no `人气` (not be liked).

`面子 (miànzi)` - “Face” or social prestige. A person with high `名气` usually has a lot of `面子`.

`网红 (wǎnghóng)` - An “internet celebrity,” a modern type of person whose `名气` is primarily derived from online platforms.