# 顾名思义

gù míng sī yì

Infer the meaning from the name

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Consider the name and think of its meaning

**Traditional Chinese:** 顧名思義

**Register:** General · spoken & written

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

## When to use it

Introduce an explanation suggested by a descriptive name.

A name can suggest a meaning without providing a complete definition.

## The image & its use

Some names offer their own first clue. A reading corner suggests a place for books, while a rain gauge suggests an instrument concerned with rain. This expression introduces that route into an explanation. It is particularly handy when teaching a term whose components are transparent to the audience. Still, names can be historical, playful, or incomplete. Treat the name as an opening clue and add the actual definition or example when precision matters.

## Examples

顾名思义，阅读角是供大家看书的小空间。

### Traditional Chinese

顧名思義，閱讀角是供大家看書的小空間。

gù míng sī yì ， yuè dú jiǎo shì gòng dà jiā kàn shū de xiǎo kōng jiān 。

As its name suggests, the reading corner is a small space for reading.

顾名思义，雨量计用来测量降雨量。

### Traditional Chinese

顧名思義，雨量計用來測量降雨量。

gù míng sī yì ， yǔ liàng jì yòng lái cè liáng jiàng yǔ liàng 。

As the name indicates, a rain gauge measures rainfall.

这个活动叫旧物新用，顾名思义，就是重新利用旧物。

### Traditional Chinese

這個活動叫舊物新用，顧名思義，就是重新利用舊物。

zhè ge huó dòng jiào jiù wù xīn yòng ， gù míng sī yì ， jiù shì chóng xīn lì yòng jiù wù 。

The activity is called New Uses for Old Things, which explains its aim.

顾名思义，便携书架方便随身携带。

### Traditional Chinese

顧名思義，便攜書架方便隨身攜帶。

gù míng sī yì ， biàn xié shū jià fāng biàn suí shēn xié dài 。

As its name suggests, a portable bookshelf is easy to carry.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 7, 2026.

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=1178&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E9%A1%A7%E5%90%8D%E6%80%9D%E7%BE%A9)

## Keep exploring

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