名义

名義

míngyì

noun HSK 6 #3,868

Meanings

The meaning behind a name — nominal status, or the pretext under which something is done.

他以公司的名义签了合同。

Tā yǐ gōngsī de míngyì qiān le hétóng.

He signed the contract in the name of the company.

名义上他是经理，实际上什么都不管。

Míngyì shàng tā shì jīnglǐ, shíjìshàng shénme dōu bùguǎn.

He is nominally the manager, but in reality he doesn't manage anything.

以人民的名义！

Yǐ rénmín de míngyì!

In the name of the people!

usage

以...的名义 (in the name of...) is a key pattern. 名义上 (nominally, in name only) implies the reality differs from the title.

名 míng

义 yì