# 有名无实

yǒu míng wú shí

Have the title without the substance

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** There is a name but no reality

**Traditional Chinese:** 有名無實

**Register:** General · spoken & written

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

## When to use it

Point out a gap between a label and what actually exists.

It is critical; explain the concrete missing substance.

## The image & its use

A room called a reading room may lack books or usable seats. Its name promises something that its actual contents do not provide. This expression describes that mismatch. It can apply to a title, an arrangement, or a supposedly useful facility. The criticism should identify what is missing rather than merely express dissatisfaction. A clear example also helps distinguish an empty label from a modest but working version of the thing that the label describes.

## Examples

这个阅读角没有书也没有座位，几乎有名无实。

### Traditional Chinese

這個閱讀角沒有書也沒有座位，幾乎有名無實。

zhè ge yuè dú jiǎo méi yǒu shū yě méi yǒu zuò wèi ， jī hū yǒu míng wú shí 。

With neither books nor seats, the reading corner is little more than a name.

计划需要真正落实，不能有名无实。

### Traditional Chinese

計劃需要真正落實，不能有名無實。

jì huà xū yào zhēn zhèng luò shí ， bù néng yǒu míng wú shí 。

The plan needs real implementation rather than existing only in name.

这个学习小组若从不交流，就会有名无实。

### Traditional Chinese

這個學習小組若從不交流，就會有名無實。

zhè ge xué xí xiǎo zǔ ruò cóng bù jiāo liú ， jiù huì yǒu míng wú shí 。

A study group that never exchanges ideas exists only in name.

她希望自己的职务有实际贡献，而非有名无实。

### Traditional Chinese

她希望自己的職務有實際貢獻，而非有名無實。

tā xī wàng zì jǐ de zhí wù yǒu shí jì gòng xiàn ， ér fēi yǒu míng wú shí 。

She wants her role to make a real contribution rather than be merely a title.

## 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=1276&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E6%9C%89%E5%90%8D%E7%84%A1%E5%AF%A6)

## Keep exploring

- [有目共睹 yǒu mù gòng dǔ Plain for everyone to see ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/you-mu-gong-du)

- [怨天尤人 yuàn tiān yóu rén Blame fate and other people for one's troubles ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yuan-tian-you-ren)

- [跃然纸上 yuè rán zhǐ shàng Come vividly to life in writing or drawing ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yue-ran-zhi-shang)

- [沾沾自喜 zhān zhān zì xǐ Be smugly pleased with oneself ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zhan-zhan-zi-xi)

## Keep this one close.

Save useful idioms, read offline, and revisit them with flashcards in Almanac.

[View on the App Store ](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6819590452)

[Previous idiom 有口皆碑 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/you-kou-jie-bei) [Next idiom 有目共睹 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/you-mu-gong-du)