Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== míngcì: 名次 - Rank, Position (in a competition/list) ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** mingci, 名次, Chinese for rank, Chinese for position, competition ranking, academic ranking in China, what is mingci, 名次 meaning, how to use mingci, HSK 4 vocabulary * **Summary:** Discover the meaning of **míngcì (名次)**, a fundamental Chinese word for "rank" or "position," especially in a competitive setting. This page explores its crucial role in Chinese culture, particularly in education and sports, where your **míngcì** is often seen as a measure of success. Learn how to use it correctly in sentences, understand its cultural weight, and see how it differs from similar terms like **páimíng (排名)**. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** míngcì * **Part of Speech:** Noun * **HSK Level:** HSK 4 * **Concise Definition:** A person's or thing's specific place or position in a ranked sequence, such as a competition, examination, or list. * **In a Nutshell:** **Míngcì** is the word you use when talking about where someone finished in a race, their rank in class, or their position on a leaderboard. It's not just a number; in Chinese culture, it carries the weight of comparison, achievement, and social standing. If you imagine a list of names ordered from best to worst, your **míngcì** is your specific spot on that list. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **名 (míng):** This character's primary meaning is "name." It can also mean "fame," "reputation," or "famous." Think of it as the label or identifier for a person or thing. * **次 (cì):** This character means "order," "sequence," or "next." It depicts a sequence or a turn in a series. * Together, **名 (name) + 次 (order)** literally means "named order" or "a name's position in a sequence." This perfectly captures the idea of a specific, named rank within a larger hierarchy. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== In many Western cultures, while class rank exists, it's often downplayed or kept private to encourage a focus on personal growth. In China, **míngcì** is a far more public and central concept, especially within the education system. From a very young age, students are acutely aware of their **míngcì** in the class. Exam results and rankings are often posted publicly for all students, parents, and teachers to see. This creates an environment of intense competition where improving one's **míngcì** is a primary goal. This isn't just about individual pride; a good **míngcì** is a source of immense honor for the entire family. It's seen as a direct reflection of a student's diligence and a parent's successful upbringing. The ultimate expression of this is the **gāokǎo (高考)**, the national college entrance exam. A student's nationwide **míngcì** on this single exam can determine which university they can attend and, by extension, their entire career path. Therefore, **míngcì** is not just a "position"; it's a deeply ingrained cultural concept tied to success, family honor, and societal pressure. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== **Míngcì** is a common word used in various competitive contexts. * **In Education:** This is the most frequent use. Students, parents, and teachers constantly discuss **míngcì** after every exam. * //"What was your rank this time?" (这次你名次多少？)// * **In Sports:** Used to ask about the results of a race, tournament, or any athletic competition. * //"He got a good placing in the swimming competition." (他在游泳比赛中获得了不错的名次。)// * **In Business:** Companies rank their sales teams, products, or regional offices. Performance reviews can also be based on an employee's **名次** relative to their peers. * **Online & Gaming:** Gamers on leaderboards are obsessed with their **míngcì**. Search engine results (like on Baidu) are also referred to by their **名次**. The connotation of **míngcì** is generally neutral—it's a factual descriptor. However, the *context* surrounding it is often emotionally charged. A good **名次** brings joy and pride, while a poor one can lead to disappointment and stress. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 这次考试，你的**名次**是多少？ * Pinyin: Zhè cì kǎoshì, nǐ de **míngcì** shì duōshǎo? * English: What was your rank in this exam? * Analysis: A very common and direct question used between students or from a parent to a child. This is a classic example of its use in an academic context. * **Example 2:** * 他很在意自己在班里的**名次**。 * Pinyin: Tā hěn zàiyì zìjǐ zài bān lǐ de **míngcì**. * English: He really cares about his rank in the class. * Analysis: The verb **在意 (zàiyì)**, "to care about," is often used with **名次** to describe the cultural pressure and personal importance placed on rankings. * **Example 3:** * 在这次马拉松比赛中，我取得了不错的**名次**。 * Pinyin: Zài zhè cì mǎlāsōng bǐsài zhōng, wǒ qǔdéle bùcuò de **míngcì**. * English: I got a pretty good placing in this marathon. * Analysis: Here, **取得了 (qǔdéle)** means "achieved" or "obtained." The phrase **不错的 (bùcuò de)**, "not bad" or "pretty good," is a common, humble way to say you did well. * **Example 4:** * 虽然**名次**不理想，但我们都尽力了。 * Pinyin: Suīrán **míngcì** bù lǐxiǎng, dàn wǒmen dōu jìnlì le. * English: Although the rank wasn't ideal, we all tried our best. * Analysis: This sentence shows how to talk about a disappointing result. **不理想 (bù lǐxiǎng)** means "not ideal" and is a softer way of saying "bad." * **Example 5:** * 为了提高**名次**，他每天学习到深夜。 * Pinyin: Wèile tígāo **míngcì**, tā měitiān xuéxí dào shēnyè. * English: In order to improve his rank, he studies late into the night every day. * Analysis: This sentence highlights the cause-and-effect relationship between effort and rank, a core belief in Chinese education. **为了 (wèile)** means "in order to." * **Example 6:** * 我们不应该只看重**名次**，过程更重要。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen bù yīnggāi zhǐ kànzhòng **míngcì**, guòchéng gèng zhòngyào. * English: We shouldn't only value rank; the process is more important. * Analysis: This sentence expresses a common counter-argument to the intense focus on rankings. **看重 (kànzhòng)** means "to value" or "to regard as important." * **Example 7:** * 他的**名次**从第十名前进到了第五名。 * Pinyin: Tā de **míngcì** cóng dì shí míng qiánjìn dàole dì wǔ míng. * English: His rank advanced from tenth place to fifth place. * Analysis: Note that when stating the specific rank, you use **第 (dì) + [number] + 名 (míng)**. **名次** is used here as the general subject ("his rank"). * **Example 8:** * 这个学校非常重视学生的**名次**。 * Pinyin: Zhège xuéxiào fēicháng zhòngshì xuéshēng de **míngcì**. * English: This school places great importance on students' rankings. * Analysis: **重视 (zhòngshì)** is a more formal synonym for **看重 (kànzhòng)** and is often used to describe the attitude of an institution. * **Example 9:** * 在电子游戏里，他的世界**名次**很高。 * Pinyin: Zài diànzǐ yóuxì lǐ, tā de shìjiè **míngcì** hěn gāo. * English: In the video game, his world ranking is very high. * Analysis: This shows the application of **名次** in a modern, global context like online gaming leaderboards. * **Example 10:** * 获得一个好**名次**能给整个团队带来荣誉。 * Pinyin: Huòdé yīgè hǎo **míngcì** néng gěi zhěnggè tuánduì dàilái róngyù. * English: Getting a good rank can bring honor to the whole team. * Analysis: This sentence connects **名次** with the concept of collective **荣誉 (róngyù)**, or "honor/glory." ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **`名次` (míngcì) vs. `排名` (páimíng):** This is the most common point of confusion. * **`名次` (míngcì)** refers to the specific //result// or //position// (e.g., "fifth place," "a good rank"). It's a noun. * **`排名` (páimíng)** can refer to the //ranking list// itself (e.g., "the class ranking chart") or the //act of ranking//. * In many cases, they are interchangeable, especially in questions. Both `你的名次是多少？` and `你的排名是多少？` are correct for "What is your rank?". However, you would say `看排名` (look at the ranking list), not `看名次`. * **Don't add `名次` after a specific number:** A very common mistake for learners is to say something like `第一名次` (first rank). This is incorrect. To state a specific rank, you use the structure **第 (dì) + [Number] + 名 (míng)**. * **Correct:** 他得了**第一名**。 (Tā déle **dì yī míng**.) - He got first place. * **Incorrect:** 他得了第一名次。 * **Correct:** 他想得一个好**名次**。 (Tā xiǎng dé yīgè hǎo **míngcì**.) - He wants to get a good rank. * **`名次` is not for military or social class "rank":** In English, "rank" can refer to a military title (e.g., "General") or a social hierarchy. **名次** is used exclusively for a position in a sequential, competitive list. For military rank, you would use a word like **军衔 (jūnxián)**. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[排名]] (páimíng) - The ranking list or the action of ranking. Often used interchangeably with `名次` but is broader in meaning. * [[第一名]] (dì yī míng) - First place. The most desirable `名次`. * [[最后一名]] (zuìhòu yī míng) - Last place. * [[成绩]] (chéngjì) - Grades; score; results. The data used to determine a student's `名次`. * [[比赛]] (bǐsài) - Competition; match. An event where `名次` is determined. * [[考试]] (kǎoshì) - Exam; test. The most common type of `比赛` for students in China. * [[高考]] (gāokǎo) - The National College Entrance Examination. The most important `名次` a Chinese student will ever receive. * [[名额]] (míng'é) - Quota; the number of allowed spots. A high `名次` is required to secure a limited `名额` for a top university or job. * [[荣誉]] (róngyù) - Honor; glory. A primary reward for achieving a good `名次`. * [[竞争]] (jìngzhēng) - Competition. The environment in which `名次` becomes important.