# 声名狼藉

shēng míng láng jí

Have a badly damaged reputation

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** One's reputation lies in disorder

**Traditional Chinese:** 聲名狼藉

**Register:** Critical · general

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

## When to use it

Describe widespread notoriety caused by misconduct.

Reputation is a social judgment; verify allegations before repeating them.

## Understanding the expression

A reputation that once might have been orderly or respected now lies scattered and discredited. The expression describes someone or something widely known for bad conduct. Repeated dishonesty or persistently careless work can provide the context. It concerns public reputation rather than proving each accusation true. A careful account names established behavior and avoids treating rumor as verdict, especially when widespread publicity has outrun verified information about what actually happened.

## Examples

那家公司因诈骗声名狼藉。

### Traditional Chinese

那家公司因詐騙聲名狼藉。

nà jiā gōng sī yīn zhà piàn shēng míng láng jí 。

The company became notorious for fraud.

他多次造假，早已声名狼藉。

### Traditional Chinese

他多次造假，早已聲名狼藉。

tā duō cì zào jiǎ ， zǎo yǐ shēng míng láng jí 。

Repeated falsification has ruined his reputation.

小说里的官员声名狼藉。

### Traditional Chinese

小說裡的官員聲名狼藉。

xiǎo shuō lǐ de guān yuán shēng míng láng jí 。

The official in the novel is notorious.

她不愿与声名狼藉的商家合作。

### Traditional Chinese

她不願與聲名狼藉的商家合作。

tā bú yuàn yǔ shēng míng láng jí de shāng jiā hé zuò 。

She refuses to work with the disreputable business.

## 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=%E8%81%B2%E5%90%8D%E7%8B%BC%E8%97%89)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=639&webMd=1&la=0)

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