Definition
名不副实 is a four-character idiom meaning that the reputation or title of something or someone exceeds their actual quality or ability. The literal breakdown is 名 'name/reputation', 不 'not', 副 'match', 实 'reality'. You can use it to criticize products, performances, people, or anything that fails to live up to its billing. It's the opposite of 名副其实 'worthy of the name'.
idiom
to be unworthy of the nameto not live up to one's reputation or title
Examples
- ，名不副实，。Zhège chǎnpǐn xuānchuán de nàme hǎo, jiéguǒ míng bù fù shí, zhìliàng hěn chà.This product was advertised so well, but it turned out to be unworthy of its name — the quality was terrible.
- ，名不副实，。Tā zìchēng shì zhuānjiā, dàn qíshí míng bù fù shí, shénme dōu bù dǒng.He calls himself an expert, but actually he doesn't live up to the title — he knows nothing.
- ，名不副实，。Nà jiā cāntīng píngfēn hěn gāo, wǒ qù le yí cì fāxiàn míng bù fù shí, cài hěn yìbān.That restaurant had high ratings, but I went once and found it didn't live up to its reputation — the food was just average.
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