Meaning
This chengyu means that someone or something truly deserves their reputation or title because their actual achievements or qualities match or exceed expectations. It expresses that the reality (实) has arrived (至), so the reputation (名) rightfully belongs (归) to them.
Usage
Used in formal or semi-formal contexts to praise someone or something as genuinely deserving their accolades. Often appears in reviews, award ceremonies, or compliments about restaurants, performances, or people's achievements. Has a distinctly positive connotation and sounds literary or elegant.
Examples
- 01她获得最佳演员奖真是实至名归。.Her winning the Best Actress award is truly well-deserved.
- 02这家餐厅的口碑这么好，我们去吃了一次，确实实至名归。, , .This restaurant has such a good reputation; we went once and it truly lives up to its name.
Characters
Common collocations
- 实至名归的冠军a well-deserved champion
- 可以说是实至名归can be said to be well-deserved
- 真是实至名归truly deserves the recognition
Antonyms
Origin
Classical Chinese construction meaning literally 'reality arrives, reputation returns.' The phrase follows the pattern of many four-character idioms where each character contributes to the overall metaphorical meaning about deserving recognition.