hēimíngdān: 黑名单 - Blacklist

• Keywords: hēimíngdān, 黑名单, Chinese blacklist, blacklist in Chinese, what is a heimingdan, block someone in Chinese, 拉黑, lāhēi, social credit system, China blacklist, whitelist in Chinese, 白名单
• Summary: The Chinese term 黑名单 (hēimíngdān) is the direct equivalent of the English “blacklist.” It refers to a list of people, companies, or things that are disapproved of, banned, or otherwise excluded. In modern China, its usage ranges from the personal act of blocking someone on social media—a concept better known by the verb 拉黑 (lāhēi)—to official government lists associated with the Social Credit System, which can have serious real-world consequences. This page explores its literal meaning, cultural significance, and practical use in daily conversation and official contexts.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): hēimíngdān
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: A list of people or entities that are regarded as unacceptable or untrustworthy and should be excluded or avoided.
• In a Nutshell: Just like in English, a `黑名单 (hēimíngdān)` is a list you don't want to be on. The term literally translates to “black name list.” Think of it as any list of undesirables, whether it's a nightclub's list of banned patrons, a company's list of fraudulent customers, or a government's list of sanctioned individuals. The core feeling is one of exclusion, disapproval, and penalty.

• 黑 (hēi): Black. In Chinese, as in English, this color often carries connotations of being dark, secret, bad, or illicit.
• 名 (míng): Name. This character refers to the names of the people or things on the list.
• 单 (dān): List, sheet, or bill. Here, it clearly means “list.”

The characters combine logically and literally: 黑 (black) + 名 (name) + 单 (list) = “black name list,” or simply, a blacklist. The color “black” signals the negative and unwelcome status of those whose names are on the list.

The concept of a blacklist is not unique to China. However, its application and societal weight in modern China have a distinct cultural dimension, especially when contrasted with its typical use in the West. While a Westerner might think of a McCarthy-era Hollywood blacklist or a company's list of bad debtors, the idea in China has been amplified by technology and state-level social governance. The most significant example is its integration into China's Social Credit System (社会信用体系, shèhuì xìnyòng tǐxì). Unlike a simple “block list” on social media in the West, being placed on an official government `黑名单` in China for offenses like defaulting on court-ordered debts can trigger tangible, severe penalties. These can include being barred from purchasing high-speed train or plane tickets, staying in luxury hotels, or even enrolling your children in certain private schools. This system reflects a more collectivist approach to governance, where individual behavior is tracked and managed with the stated goal of promoting societal trust and order. Therefore, while the word `黑名单` is a direct translation, its most serious implications in China are tied to a system of social management that is far more centralized and consequential than what typically exists in the West.

The term `黑名单` is used in various contexts, from casual to highly formal.

• Social and Digital Life: In daily conversation, especially among younger people, the verb `拉黑 (lāhēi)` is far more common than using `黑名单` to describe blocking someone online. `拉黑` literally means “to pull into the black.” You would say “I blocked him on WeChat,” not “I put him on my blacklist.”
• Business Context: Businesses maintain `黑名单` for customers with a history of non-payment, disruptive behavior, or fraud. It's a standard term for an internal list of entities to avoid doing business with.
• Official and Governmental Use: This is the most formal and serious context. Government agencies, banks, and courts use `黑名单` to designate individuals or companies that have violated regulations, defaulted on loans, or engaged in other untrustworthy behavior. The official name for the most well-known list is the “List of Untrustworthy Persons Subject to Enforcement” (失信被执行人名单).

• Example 1:
  • 他因为没还钱，上了银行的黑名单。
  • Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi méi huán qián, shàngle yínháng de hēimíngdān.
  • English: He was put on the bank's blacklist because he didn't pay back the money.
  • Analysis: This shows the common structure `上黑名单 (shàng hēimíngdān)`, which means “to get on a blacklist.”
• Example 2:
  • 如果你再骚扰我，我就拉黑你。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ zài sāorǎo wǒ, wǒ jiù lāhēi nǐ.
  • English: If you harass me again, I will block you.
  • Analysis: This example uses the highly common verb `拉黑 (lāhēi)`, the action of putting someone on a personal, digital blacklist. Note that `黑名单` itself is not used here.
• Example 3:
  • 这家供应商的质量太差，我们应该把它列入黑名单。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngyìngshāng de zhìliàng tài chà, wǒmen yīnggāi bǎ tā lièrù hēimíngdān.
  • English: This supplier's quality is terrible; we should put it on the blacklist.
  • Analysis: `列入黑名单 (lièrù hēimíngdān)` is a more formal way to say “to put on the blacklist” or “to be listed on the blacklist.”
• Example 4:
  • 作为记者，他因报道敏感话题而被列入了政府的黑名单。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi jìzhě, tā yīn bàodào mǐngǎn huàtí ér bèi lièrù le zhèngfǔ de hēimíngdān.
  • English: As a journalist, he was placed on the government's blacklist for reporting on sensitive topics.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates a serious, formal usage of the term in a governmental context.
• Example 5:
  • 我开玩笑说，在我心里，所有前男友都在一个黑名单上。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ kāiwánxiào shuō, zài wǒ xīnlǐ, suǒyǒu qián nányǒu dōu zài yí ge hēimíngdān shàng.
  • English: I joked that in my heart, all my ex-boyfriends are on a blacklist.
  • Analysis: A figurative and humorous use, showing the term can be used personally and informally, just like in English.
• Example 6:
  • 上了失信黑名单的人，生活会受到很多限制。
  • Pinyin: Shàngle shīxìn hēimíngdān de rén, shēnghuó huì shòudào hěn duō xiànzhì.
  • English: People who are on the credit defaulter blacklist will face many restrictions in their lives.
  • Analysis: This directly refers to the consequences of being on the official Social Credit blacklist (`失信黑名单`).
• Example 7:
  • 那个应用程序因为窃取用户数据而被应用商店加入了黑名单。
  • Pinyin: Nàge yìngyòng chéngxù yīnwèi qièqǔ yònghù shùjù ér bèi yìngyòng shāngdiàn jiārùle hēimíngdān.
  • English: That app was added to the blacklist by the app store for stealing user data.
  • Analysis: Shows the term used in a modern technology context.
• Example 8:
  • 我怎么从这个黑名单里移除我的名字？
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zěnme cóng zhège hēimíngdān lǐ yíchú wǒ de míngzì?
  • English: How can I remove my name from this blacklist?
  • Analysis: A practical question someone might ask, demonstrating a clear understanding of the concept.
• Example 9:
  • 该公司因违反环保法规被永久列入黑名单。
  • Pinyin: Gāi gōngsī yīn wéifǎn huánbǎo fǎguī bèi yǒngjiǔ lièrù hēimíngdān.
  • English: The company was permanently blacklisted for violating environmental regulations.
  • Analysis: The adverb `永久 (yǒngjiǔ)` means “permanently,” showing the severity of the action.
• Example 10:
  • 你最好准时付款，否则你就会上我们的黑名单。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ zuìhǎo zhǔnshí fùkuǎn, fǒuzé nǐ jiù huì shàng wǒmen de hēimíngdān.
  • English: You'd better pay on time, or you'll end up on our blacklist.
  • Analysis: A common warning used in a business or transactional context.

The most common mistake for English speakers is misusing the noun `黑名单` as a verb. While in English you can say “I blacklisted him,” you cannot directly translate this as “我黑名单他 (wǒ hēimíngdān tā).”

• `黑名单 (hēimíngdān)` vs. `拉黑 (lāhēi)`:
  • `黑名单` is a noun: the list itself.
  • `拉黑` is a verb: the action of blocking someone, especially on social media or messaging apps. It's informal and extremely common.
• Incorrect Usage:
  • `我黑名单了她，因为她总是发垃圾信息。` (Wǒ hēimíngdān le tā, yīnwèi tā zǒngshì fā lājī xìnxī.)
  • Why it's wrong: This uses the noun `黑名单` as if it were a verb.
• Correct Usage:
  • Option 1 (Most Natural): `我拉黑了她，因为她总是发垃圾信息。` (Wǒ lāhēi le tā, yīnwèi tā zǒngshì fā lājī xìnxī.) - “I blocked her because she always sends spam messages.”
  • Option 2 (More Formal/Literal): `我把她放进了黑名单，因为她总是发垃圾信息。` (Wǒ bǎ tā fàngjìn le hēimíngdān, yīnwèi tā zǒngshì fā lājī xìnxī.) - “I put her onto the blacklist because she always sends spam messages.”

Remember: for the everyday act of blocking a person on your phone or computer, use `拉黑 (lāhēi)`. For referring to the actual list, use `黑名单 (hēimíngdān)`.

• 拉黑 (lāhēi) - The common verb for “to block” or “to blacklist” a person on social media or a phone. It is the action that results in someone being on a personal `黑名单`.
• 白名单 (báimíngdān) - The direct antonym: “whitelist.” A list of approved, trusted, or permitted people or items.
• 灰名单 (huīmíngdān) - A “greylist.” A list for entities that are temporarily blocked or under suspicion, but not permanently banned. Less common than the other two.
• 封杀 (fēngshā) - To ban or completely shut out. A much stronger term, often used for celebrities, media, or companies banned by an entire industry or the government.
• 屏蔽 (píngbì) - To block, shield, or screen. A more technical and broader term. You can `屏蔽` ads, `屏蔽` certain content, or `屏蔽` a signal. `拉黑` is specifically for blocking a person/account.
• 失信 (shīxìn) - To lose credibility; to be untrustworthy. This is the state or action that leads to being placed on an official `黑名单`.
• 社会信用体系 (shèhuì xìnyòng tǐxì) - The Social Credit System. The official government framework that utilizes blacklists and whitelists to regulate and incentivize the behavior of citizens and businesses.
• 上榜 (shàngbǎng) - To appear on a list/ranking. This term is neutral. It can be positive (e.g., `上光荣榜` - get on the honor roll) or negative (e.g., `上黑名单` - get on the blacklist).