# 家喻户晓

jiā yù hù xiǎo

Be known in nearly every household

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Families understand and households know

**Traditional Chinese:** 家喻戶曉

**Register:** Descriptive · general

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

## When to use it

Describe widespread familiarity.

Fame does not imply approval or accuracy.

## Understanding the expression

The phrase distributes knowledge through households rather than limiting it to experts or a small circle. Modern use describes a familiar name, story, song, product, or public fact. It is a strong claim of broad recognition and often contains some exaggeration. The subject may be admired or notorious. Being widely known is separate from being good, true, or well understood, since people can recognize a name without knowing its details.

## Examples

这个故事家喻户晓。

### Traditional Chinese

這個故事家喻戶曉。

zhè ge gù shì jiā yù hù xiǎo 。

This story is known in nearly every household.

她已成为家喻户晓的演员。

### Traditional Chinese

她已成為家喻戶曉的演員。

tā yǐ chéng wéi jiā yù hù xiǎo de yǎn yuán 。

She has become a household name as an actor.

这首歌曾经家喻户晓。

### Traditional Chinese

這首歌曾經家喻戶曉。

zhè shǒu gē céng jīng jiā yù hù xiǎo 。

This song was once known everywhere.

品牌家喻户晓，质量仍需检验。

### Traditional Chinese

品牌家喻戶曉，質量仍需檢驗。

pǐn pái jiā yù hù xiǎo ， zhì liàng réng xū jiǎn yàn 。

The brand is widely known, but quality still needs checking.

## 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%AE%B6%E5%96%BB%E6%88%B6%E6%9B%89)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=256&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [价值连城 jià zhí lián chéng Extremely valuable ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/jia-zhi-lian-cheng)

- [见仁见智 jiàn rén jiàn zhì Different people see it differently ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/jian-ren-jian-zhi)

- [矫揉造作 jiǎo róu zào zuò Be affected and unnatural ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/jiao-rou-zao-zuo)

- [津津有味 jīn jīn yǒu wèi With lively interest or enjoyment ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/jin-jin-you-wei)

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