Meaning
This chengyu literally means 'empty having its name.' It describes something or someone that has a good reputation or impressive title but lacks the actual substance, quality, or ability to match it. The phrase emphasizes the gap between appearance or reputation and reality.
Usage
This is a somewhat formal or literary expression typically used in written Chinese or formal speech. It carries a critical or disapproving tone, pointing out that something fails to live up to its name or reputation. Often used to describe products, positions, titles, or people who disappoint expectations.
Examples
- 01这家餐厅虽然很有名，但菜品质量很差，真是空有其名。, , .Although this restaurant is famous, the food quality is poor; it truly has an undeserved reputation.
- 02他这个经理只是空有其名，实际工作都是副手在做。, .This manager position of his is just a title in name only; the actual work is all done by his deputy.
Characters
Antonyms
Origin
This chengyu follows classical Chinese structure where 空 (empty) modifies the phrase 有其名 (having its name), creating the meaning 'having a name emptily' or 'only having the name without substance.'