# 如雷贯耳

rú léi guàn ěr

Be very well known by reputation

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Sound like thunder through the ears

**Traditional Chinese:** 如雷貫耳

**Register:** Admiring · literary

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Describe long familiarity with someone's distinguished name.

Usually reputation, not literally a loud voice.

## Understanding the expression

Thunder is difficult to miss, making it an image for a name repeatedly heard and remembered. The expression commonly introduces admiration for a famous specialist, artist, or institution. It often appears when someone meets a person whose reputation preceded them. Familiarity with the name is the central claim, not personal acquaintance. It can be courteous exaggeration, so it does not guarantee that the speaker has studied all of the person's work.

## Examples

您的名字我早已如雷贯耳。

### Traditional Chinese

您的名字我早已如雷貫耳。

nín de míng zì wǒ zǎo yǐ rú léi guàn ěr 。

I have long known your distinguished name.

这位导演的大名如雷贯耳。

### Traditional Chinese

這位導演的大名如雷貫耳。

zhè wèi dǎo yǎn de dà míng rú léi guàn ěr 。

This director's name is widely known.

那家研究所的声誉如雷贯耳。

### Traditional Chinese

那家研究所的聲譽如雷貫耳。

nà jiā yán jiū suǒ de shēng yù rú léi guàn ěr 。

The institute has a renowned reputation.

虽说如雷贯耳，我还是第一次见他。

### Traditional Chinese

雖說如雷貫耳，我還是第一次見他。

suī shuō rú léi guàn ěr ， wǒ hái shì dì yī cì jiàn tā 。

Though I know his reputation, this is our first meeting.

## 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%A6%82%E9%9B%B7%E8%B2%AB%E8%80%B3)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=543&webMd=1&la=0)

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