Definition
徒有虚名 is a four-character idiom meaning someone or something has a reputation that is not backed up by real ability or substance. You use it when you want to criticize someone who looks impressive on paper but fails in practice — like a 'celebrity' scholar who can't teach, or a branded product that performs poorly. The tone is negative and dismissive.
f.e.
to have an undeserved reputationto be all show and no substance
Examples
- 徒有虚名，。Zhège yǎnyuán tú yǒu xū míng, yǎnjì qíshí hěn chà.This actor has a reputation that isn't deserved; his acting skills are actually very poor.
- 徒有虚名，。Nà jiā gōngsī tú yǒu xū míng, chǎnpǐn zhìliàng gēnběn bùxíng.That company has a hollow reputation; its product quality is simply no good.
- 徒有虚名。Bié xiāngxìn nàxiē tú yǒu xū míng de suǒwèi zhuānjiā.Don't trust those so-called experts who have nothing but an empty title.
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