====== wénmíng: 闻名 - Famous, Renowned, Well-known ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** wénmíng, 闻名, what does wenming mean, how to use wenming, famous in Chinese, renowned in Chinese, well-known in Chinese, Chinese word for famous, wénmíng vs yǒumíng, formal Chinese for famous.
  * **Summary:** Learn the Chinese word **闻名 (wénmíng)**, which means "famous," "renowned," or "well-known." More formal and literary than the common word 有名 (yǒumíng), 闻名 is used to describe people, places, or things that are celebrated for a specific positive quality or achievement. This guide breaks down its meaning, cultural significance, and practical usage with many example sentences, helping you understand how to use this essential HSK 5 vocabulary word to sound more sophisticated in Chinese.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** wénmíng
  * **Part of Speech:** Verb / Adjective
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 5
  * **Concise Definition:** To be famous or renowned, typically for a positive quality or achievement.
  * **In a Nutshell:** Think of **闻名 (wénmíng)** as the difference between "famous" and "renowned" in English. While a person can be "famous" for anything, being "renowned" implies you are known for a specific, respected skill or characteristic. **闻名** carries this weight of positive reputation. It's often used for things with historical, cultural, or artistic value, like a world-famous landmark, a celebrated artist, or a region known for its special cuisine.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **闻 (wén):** This character means "to hear" or "to listen." The traditional character 聞 is a pictograph of an ear (耳) in a doorway (門), vividly illustrating the act of hearing something from outside. It can also refer to news or reputation.
  * **名 (míng):** This character means "name," "fame," or "reputation." It's composed of 夕 (xī - "evening") and 口 (kǒu - "mouth"). In ancient times, when it was dark, you would call out your name (口) to identify yourself.
  * Together, **闻名 (wénmíng)** literally means "to hear the name." The idea is that when something or someone is famous, their name is heard far and wide.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
  * **闻名 (wénmíng)** holds a more formal and prestigious connotation than its everyday counterpart, [[有名]] (yǒumíng). Its usage often implies a level of respect and admiration. It's the word you'd see in a travel guide describing the Terracotta Army, not in a casual text message about a popular vlogger.
  * **Comparison to Western Concepts:** The distinction between **闻名 (wénmíng)** and **有名 (yǒumíng)** is similar to the English distinction between "renowned" and "famous." A reality TV star is *famous*, but a Nobel Prize-winning scientist is *renowned*. **闻名** aligns with the latter. It's fame that is earned through substance—skill, quality, or historical importance. This reflects a cultural value placed on achievement and respectable reputation (名气 - míngqi) over mere celebrity.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
  * **Formal and Written Contexts:** You will frequently encounter **闻名** in books, news articles, official websites, tourism materials, and formal presentations. It adds a touch of sophistication and respect.
  * **Common Structures:**
    * **以...闻名 (yǐ... wénmíng):** "to be famous for..." This is a very common and useful pattern.
      * > 杭州**以**西湖**闻名**。 (Hángzhōu **yǐ** Xī Hú **wénmíng**.) - Hangzhou is famous for the West Lake.
    * **闻名世界 (wénmíng shìjiè):** "world-famous" or "renowned throughout the world."
    * **闻名中外 (wénmíng zhōngwài):** "famous both in China and abroad."
  * **Connotation:** Almost exclusively positive. It suggests that the subject is famous for good reason and is held in high regard.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 中国的长城**闻名**世界。
    * Pinyin: Zhōngguó de Chángchéng **wénmíng** shìjiè.
    * English: The Great Wall of China is world-famous.
    * Analysis: A classic example. **闻名** is used for a landmark of immense historical and cultural significance.
  * **Example 2:**
    * 这位画家以其独特的风格而**闻名**。
    * Pinyin: Zhè wèi huàjiā yǐ qí dútè de fēnggé ér **wénmíng**.
    * English: This artist is renowned for his unique style.
    * Analysis: The structure "以...而闻名" (yǐ...ér wénmíng) is used to specify what the person is famous *for*. It emphasizes the cause of their renown.
  * **Example 3:**
    * 四川菜以其麻辣**闻名**。
    * Pinyin: Sìchuān cài yǐ qí málà **wénmíng**.
    * English: Sichuan cuisine is famous for being numbing and spicy.
    * Analysis: Here, **闻名** is used for a regional characteristic (the flavor of its food).
  * **Example 4:**
    * 他是一位**闻名**全国的外科医生。
    * Pinyin: Tā shì yī wèi **wénmíng** quánguó de wàikē yīshēng.
    * English: He is a nationally renowned surgeon.
    * Analysis: **闻名** is used here as an adjective to describe the doctor, highlighting his professional reputation.
  * **Example 5:**
    * 瑞士的钟表**闻名**中外。
    * Pinyin: Ruìshì de zhōngbiǎo **wénmíng** zhōngwài.
    * English: Swiss watches are famous both in China and abroad.
    * Analysis: The set phrase **闻名中外 (wénmíng zhōngwài)** is a very common and useful collocation.
  * **Example 6:**
    * 这所大学在学术界**闻名**遐迩。
    * Pinyin: Zhè suǒ dàxué zài xuéshùjiè **wénmíng** xiá'ěr.
    * English: This university is widely known in academic circles.
    * Analysis: **闻名遐迩 (wénmíng xiá'ěr)** is a four-character idiom (chengyu) meaning "to be known far and wide." It's a very formal and literary way to express the idea.
  * **Example 7:**
    * 他们的产品因其卓越的品质而**闻名**。
    * Pinyin: Tāmen de chǎnpǐn yīn qí zhuóyuè de pǐnzhì ér **wénmíng**.
    * English: Their products are renowned for their excellent quality.
    * Analysis: Similar to "以," the structure "因...而闻名" (yīn...ér wénmíng) also means "to be famous because of..."
  * **Example 8:**
    * 提到爱尔兰，人们就会想到它**闻名**的踢踏舞。
    * Pinyin: Tídào Ài'ěrlán, rénmen jiù huì xiǎngdào tā **wénmíng** de tītàwǔ.
    * English: When you mention Ireland, people think of its famous tap dancing.
    * Analysis: Here, **闻名** acts as an adjective modifying "tap dancing" (踢踏舞), indicating it's a celebrated cultural export.
  * **Example 9:**
    * 这家百年老店以其传统手艺而**闻名**。
    * Pinyin: Zhè jiā bǎinián lǎodiàn yǐ qí chuántǒng shǒuyì ér **wénmíng**.
    * English: This century-old shop is renowned for its traditional craftsmanship.
    * Analysis: **闻名** is perfect for describing things with a long history and respected tradition.
  * **Example 10:**
    * 俗话说，**闻名**不如见面。
    * Pinyin: Súhuà shuō, **wénmíng** bùrú jiànmiàn.
    * English: As the saying goes, seeing for yourself is better than just hearing about it. (Lit: "Hearing the name is not as good as meeting face-to-face.")
    * Analysis: This is a famous idiom that uses **闻名** in its literal sense of "hearing the name/reputation." It's a great phrase to know.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **The Biggest Mistake: Using `闻名` instead of `有名`**
    * English speakers often treat "famous" as a single concept, but in Chinese, the choice between **闻名 (wénmíng)** and **有名 (yǒumíng)** is crucial for sounding natural.
    * **`有名 (yǒumíng)`:** General, common, neutral. Use it in everyday conversation.
    * **`闻名 (wénmíng)`:** Formal, positive, respectful. Use it for things with significant cultural, historical, or professional merit.
  * **Incorrect Usage Examples:**
    * **Wrong:** 我哥哥在我们小区很**闻名**。 (Wǒ gēge zài wǒmen xiǎoqū hěn **wénmíng**.)
    * **Reason:** "My brother is renowned in our neighborhood." This sounds very strange. The scale is too small and the context too casual for **闻名**.
    * **Correct:** 我哥哥在我们小区很**有名**。 (Wǒ gēge zài wǒmen xiǎoqū hěn **yǒumíng**.)
    * **Wrong:** 那个网红因为搞笑视频而**闻名**。 (Nàge wǎnghóng yīnwèi gǎoxiào shìpín ér **wénmíng**.)
    * **Reason:** "That internet celebrity is renowned for funny videos." While possible, it's awkward. **闻名** implies a level of prestige that doesn't usually fit with "internet celebrity" or "funny videos."
    * **Correct/More Natural:** 那个网红因为搞笑视频而很**有名** (hěn **yǒumíng**) / 很**火** (hěn **huǒ** - very popular).
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[有名]] (yǒumíng) - The most common word for "famous." A synonym, but much less formal and more neutral than **闻名**.
  * [[著名]] (zhùmíng) - "Famous," "noted." Very close in meaning and formality to **闻名**. Often used for famous people like authors, artists, and scholars.
  * [[出名]] (chūmíng) - "To become famous." A verb focusing on the process of achieving fame, e.g., 他想**出名** (Tā xiǎng chūmíng) - "He wants to become famous."
  * [[名气]] (míngqi) - A noun meaning "fame," "reputation," or "renown." Example: 他**名气**很大 (Tā **míngqi** hěn dà) - "He has a big reputation."
  * [[默默无闻]] (mòmòwúwén) - An antonym. This idiom means "unknown," "obscure," or "nameless."
  * [[闻名不如见面]] (wén míng bù rú jiàn miàn) - An idiom: "Seeing is believing." Literally, "Hearing the name is not as good as seeing the person."
  * [[大名鼎鼎]] (dàmíngdǐngdǐng) - An idiom meaning "very famous" or "illustrious." Often used to describe famous people.
  * [[家喻户晓]] (jiā yù hù xiǎo) - An idiom meaning "known to every household." Describes something or someone so famous that everyone knows them.