Definition
This four-character idiom literally means 'like thunder piercing the ear' — it describes a person whose reputation is so widespread that you hear about them long before you meet them. You can use it to politely tell someone that you've heard a lot about them, especially in formal or respectful contexts. It often appears in the pattern '您的名声/大名∼' (your reputation really precedes you).
idiom
to be famous far and wideone's reputation precedes one
Examples
- 如雷贯耳，。Nín de dàmíng rú léi guàn ěr, jīntiān zhōngyú jiàndào nín le.Your reputation precedes you—I'm finally meeting you today.
- 如雷贯耳，。Zhè wèi zuòjiā de zuòpǐn rú léi guàn ěr, wǒ zǎo jiù xiǎng dú yì dú.This writer's works are extremely famous—I've wanted to read them for a long time.
- 如雷贯耳，。Guì gōngsī de shēngyù rú léi guàn ěr, wǒmen hěn róngxìng néng yǔ nín hézuò.Your company's reputation is outstanding—we are honored to cooperate with you.
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