# 名不副实

míng bù fù shí

Fail to live up to the stated name or reputation

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** The name does not match the reality

**Traditional Chinese:** 名不副實

**Register:** General · spoken & written

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

## When to use it

Compare a claim or title with what is actually provided.

Check the claim and evidence rather than judging by one impression.

## The image & its use

A name or reputation creates an expectation. This expression criticizes a gap between that expectation and the actual thing. A course called comprehensive may omit its central topic, or a supposedly spacious room may be very small. The comparison needs a clear standard rather than a vague disappointment. Explain which promise was not met and allow for accurate qualifications. A modest description that matches reality can be more useful than an impressive label that does not.

## Examples

这门课内容太少，有些名不副实。

### Traditional Chinese

這門課內容太少，有些名不副實。

zhè mén kè nèi róng tài shǎo ， yǒu xiē míng bù fù shí 。

The course offers too little content to live up to its description.

所谓大型会场其实名不副实。

### Traditional Chinese

所謂大型會場其實名不副實。

suǒ wèi dà xíng huì chǎng qí shí míng bù fù shí 。

The supposedly large venue does not live up to that name.

宣传若夸大，就容易名不副实。

### Traditional Chinese

宣傳若誇大，就容易名不副實。

xuān chuán ruò kuā dà ， jiù róng yì míng bù fù shí 。

Exaggerated promotion can leave a promise unmatched by reality.

我们检查规格，避免产品名不副实。

### Traditional Chinese

我們檢查規格，避免產品名不副實。

wǒ men jiǎn chá guī gé ， bì miǎn chǎn pǐn míng bù fù shí 。

We check the specifications so the product matches its claims.

## 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=1121&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%90%8D%E4%B8%8D%E5%89%AF%E5%AF%A6)

## Keep exploring

- [名不虚传 míng bù xū chuán Live up to a deserved reputation ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/ming-bu-xu-chuan)

- [明察秋毫 míng chá qiū háo Notice the finest details with keen judgment ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/ming-cha-qiu-hao)

- [名副其实 míng fù qí shí Truly deserve the name or reputation ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/ming-fu-qi-shi)

- [模棱两可 mó léng liǎng kě Be ambiguous or noncommittal ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/mo-leng-liang-ke)

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