TongTong
Sign in

化名 (huà míng) — (verb-object) to use an alias, to go by a false name; (noun) alias, assumed name

Definition

A verb-object word: 化 ('change') + 名 ('name'). It means adopting a false name (verb) or the alias itself (noun), often to hide one's real identity — e.g. in writing or under pressure.

verb
(verb-object) to use an aliasto go by a false name
noun
aliasassumed name
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • ，。
    Tā céng jīng huà guò yí cì míng, wèi le duǒ bì zhuī chá.
    He once used an alias to avoid being tracked.
  • 化名。
    Tā jué dìng huà míng qù cān jiā nà ge huì yì.
    He decided to attend that meeting under an alias.
  • 化名‘’。
    Tā de huà míng shì 'lǐ xiān sheng'.
    His alias is 'Mr. Li'.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

化huàchange
名míngname

To change 名 'name' gives an alias; the 化名 is the changed name.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

化 shows two person figures, one upright and one upside down, to give the idea of reversal or change.

Open 化 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

名 puts 夕 (crescent moon) above 口 (mouth), showing a name spoken in the dark.

Open 名 →
Appears in
Identity & Titles

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.