威名 (wēi míng) — prestige, renown

Definition

A formal word for a fearsome or awe-inspiring reputation — closer to 'renown' than neutral 'prestige' (名声). Often earned through strength, victory, or authority.

noun
prestigerenown

Examples

  • 威名。
    Tā de wēi míng zài xué shù jiè hěn gāo.
    His prestige is very high in academic circles.
  • 威名。
    Zhè jiā gōng sī de wēi míng yuǎn zài hǎi wài.
    This company's renown reaches far overseas.
  • 威名。
    Tā kào zhàn gōng yíng dé le wēi míng.
    He won renown through his military achievements.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

威wēiawe
名míngname

威 (awe) and 名 (reputation) combine to mean a name that inspires awe.

Characters in this word

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

威 is made by combining 戌 and 女.

Open 威 →

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 →

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