Meaning
This chengyu literally means 'have name, lack reality.' It describes something or someone that has a title, reputation, or official designation but lacks the actual qualities, power, or substance that should accompany it. The phrase criticizes the gap between appearance and reality.
Usage
Used in formal or written contexts to critique situations where the form exists but the content is missing. Common in political commentary, organizational criticism, or describing hollow titles. Often carries a negative connotation, suggesting disappointment or deception.
Examples
- 01他虽然是公司的副总经理，但实际上有名无实，什么决定都做不了。, , .Although he is the deputy general manager of the company, it's in name only—he can't make any decisions.
- 02这个委员会已经有名无实，很少召开会议，也没有任何实际作用。, , .This committee is nominal only; it rarely holds meetings and has no practical function.
Characters
Antonyms
Origin
This classical Chinese expression contrasts 名 (name/reputation) with 实 (reality/substance), a philosophical distinction important in ancient Chinese thought. The pairing appears in classical texts discussing the relationship between words and things.