ming4 bat1 fu3 sat6名不副實名不副实
Jyutpingming4 bat1 fu3 sat6
Yalemìhng bāt fu saht
Definition
To be more in name than in reality, or to fail to live up to one's reputation.
neutraldescriptions
How it's used
This idiom is a formal expression used to critique something that fails to meet the expectations set by its reputation or title. While it is a four-character idiom, it is frequently used in everyday speech to express disappointment or skepticism about a product, service, or person. It carries a slightly critical or judgmental tone.
Examples
The restaurant is very famous, but it doesn't live up to its reputation.
Do you think this plan is not as good as it claims to be?
Related words
Common phrases
completely failing to live up to its reputation
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a simple adjective, but it functions as a predicate that describes a discrepancy between reputation and reality. Avoid using it to describe physical objects that are just broken; it specifically refers to a mismatch between a name or reputation and the actual quality or performance.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
