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实至名归 (shí zhì míng guī) — (idiom) honor follows merit; one's reputation is well-deserved

Definition

A chengyu meaning 'honor follows merit' — a reputation or award that is truly deserved by real achievement. Used to praise someone whose recognition matches their accomplishments.

idiom
honor follows meritone's reputation is well-deserved

Examples

  • ，实至名归。
    Tā huò dé zhè ge jiǎng xiàng, wán quán shì shí zhì míng guī.
    His winning this award is entirely well-deserved.
  • ，，实至名归。
    Jīng guò duō nián nǔ lì, tā zhōng yú chéng le yè jiè gōng rèn de zhuān jiā, zhēn shì shí zhì míng guī.
    After years of hard work, he finally became a recognized expert in the industry — truly a case of fame following merit.
  • ，实至名归，。
    Zhè cì píng xuǎn jié guǒ gōng bù hòu, dà jiā dōu shuō shí zhì míng guī, méi yǒu zhēng yì.
    After the selection results were announced, everyone said the honors were well-deserved — there was no controversy.

Origin

Characters in this word

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 實; 实 is its simplified writing.

  • 宀宀miánroof
  • 周周zhōucarved jade
  • 貝貝bèishellfish; cowrie

The traditional form 實 has 宀 'roof' above 周 'carved jade' and 貝 'cowrie'; the simplified 实 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the historical pieces.

Open 实 →

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

至 is drawn as an arrow stuck into the ground.

Open 至 →

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 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 歸; 归 is its simplified writing.

  • 𠂤𠂤𠂤ancient form of {{zh-l|*師|troops}}
  • 帚帚zhǒubroom; sweep

The traditional form 歸 combines 𠂤 (troops) and 帚 (broom; sweep) to show sweeping away an enemy and returning; the simplified 归 is a later abbreviation.

Open 归 →
Appears in
Idioms & Set PhrasesSuccess & Failure

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