# 大名鼎鼎

dà míng dǐng dǐng

Be widely renowned

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** A great name resounds prominently

**Register:** Standard · expressive

[Perspective](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/perspective)

## When to use it

Describe a famous person or organization.

Fame does not establish quality or virtue.

## Understanding the expression

The person’s name carries widely and is readily recognized. The expression emphasizes renown, often with an admiring or excited tone when someone meets a celebrated figure. It can also be ironic if reputation exceeds performance. The phrase describes public recognition rather than explaining how it was earned. A famous name may attract attention, but evaluating a work, service, or claim still requires looking beyond the prominence of the name itself.

## Examples

那位大名鼎鼎的作家来了。

### Traditional Chinese

那位大名鼎鼎的作家來了。

nà wèi dà míng dǐng dǐng de zuò jiā lái le 。

That renowned writer has arrived.

我们去了大名鼎鼎的博物馆。

### Traditional Chinese

我們去了大名鼎鼎的博物館。

wǒ men qù le dà míng dǐng dǐng de bó wù guǎn 。

We visited the famous museum.

他见到大名鼎鼎的棋手，非常激动。

### Traditional Chinese

他見到大名鼎鼎的棋手，非常激動。

tā jiàn dào dà míng dǐng dǐng de qí shǒu ， fēi cháng jī dòng 。

He was thrilled to meet the renowned chess player.

这家餐厅大名鼎鼎，味道却很普通。

### Traditional Chinese

這家餐廳大名鼎鼎，味道卻很普通。

zhè jiā cān tīng dà míng dǐng dǐng ， wèi dào què hěn pǔ tōng 。

This restaurant is famous, but its food is ordinary.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%A4%A7%E5%90%8D%E9%BC%8E%E9%BC%8E)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=960&webMd=1&la=0)

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- [大同小异 dà tóng xiǎo yì Mostly alike with minor differences ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/da-tong-xiao-yi)

- [大智若愚 dà zhì ruò yú Appear unassuming despite profound wisdom ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/da-zhi-ruo-yu)

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