# 名正言顺

míng zhèng yán shùn

Have legitimate standing and justification

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** The name is correct and the words follow properly

**Traditional Chinese:** 名正言順

**Register:** Standard · expressive

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Describe an action supported by proper status or authority.

A formal title does not excuse misconduct.

## Understanding the expression

A correct title or recognized role makes the associated action easier to justify. The expression describes legitimacy: an elected representative speaks for constituents, or an appointed manager makes decisions within the job’s authority. It can also concern a properly established relationship or claim. Legitimacy and good execution are different matters. Someone may have the right to act while still making a poor choice, and authority remains limited by the responsibilities attached to it.

## Examples

正式任命后，她名正言顺地主持会议。

### Traditional Chinese

正式任命後，她名正言順地主持會議。

zhèng shì rèn mìng hòu ， tā míng zhèng yán shùn dì zhǔ chí huì yì 。

After her formal appointment, she legitimately chaired the meeting.

有了授权，他就能名正言顺地查账。

### Traditional Chinese

有了授權，他就能名正言順地查賬。

yǒu le shòu quán ， tā jiù néng míng zhèng yán shùn dì chá zhàng 。

With authorization, he could legitimately inspect the accounts.

手续办妥，他们名正言顺地入住。

### Traditional Chinese

手續辦妥，他們名正言順地入住。

shǒu xù bàn tuǒ ， tā men míng zhèng yán shùn dì rù zhù 。

After completing the paperwork, they moved in with proper entitlement.

当选代表后，她能名正言顺地发言。

### Traditional Chinese

當選代表後，她能名正言順地發言。

dāng xuǎn dài biǎo hòu ， tā néng míng zhèng yán shùn dì fā yán 。

After being elected representative, she could speak with legitimate standing.

## 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%90%8D%E6%AD%A3%E8%A8%80%E9%A0%86)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=807&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [明知故犯 míng zhī gù fàn Knowingly violate a rule ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/ming-zhi-gu-fan)

- [莫衷一是 mò zhōng yī shì Fail to agree on a single conclusion ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/mo-zhong-yi-shi)

- [南辕北辙 nán yuán běi zhé Move in a direction opposite to your goal ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/nan-yuan-bei-zhe)

- [弄巧成拙 nòng qiǎo chéng zhuō Make things worse by trying to be clever ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/nong-qiao-cheng-zhuo)

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