Definition
名分 refers to one's rightful social role, official title, or proper place in a hierarchy — especially within family, marriage, or career contexts. In traditional Confucian culture, having a 名分 means your position is formally acknowledged and morally legitimate, not just a de facto situation. It often carries the sense of 'what one is by right', not just what one does.
n
rightful status or role (e.g., in family, society, or work)legitimate title or proper standing
Examples
- ，。Tā yìzhí wú míng wú fèn de gēnzhe tā, xīnlǐ hěn bù'ān.She followed him without any rightful status, and felt very uneasy inside.
- ，名分。Zài zhège jiāzú lǐ, měi ge chéngyuán dōu yǒu míngquè de míng fèn.In this clan, every member has a clearly defined rightful role.
- 名分。Tā děng dào wǔshí suì cái zài gōngsī lǐ dédào zhèngshì de míng fèn.He didn't get a proper official title at the company until he was fifty.
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