名存实亡

名存實亡

míngcún-shíwáng

idiom #61,168

Meanings

1 the name remains but the reality is gone
2 existing in name only
3 nominal but defunct

Characters

to exist; to remain

reality; substance

to perish; to die

Examples

这个组织早已名存实亡，多年没有活动了。

Zhège zǔzhī zǎoyǐ míngcún-shíwáng, duōnián méiyǒu huódòng le.

This organization has long existed in name only, with no activity for years.

他们的婚姻名存实亡，只是还没办离婚手续。

Tāmen de hūnyīn míngcún-shíwáng, zhǐshì hái méi bàn líhūn shǒuxù.

Their marriage exists in name only; they just haven't filed for divorce yet.

Tips

history

From Han Yu's Tang-dynasty 《处州孔子庙碑》: '郡邑皆有孔子庙，或不能修事...名存实亡.' Han Yu laments that Confucius temples in many prefectures exist only in name because no one maintains them.

usage

Negative, describes institutions, treaties, rules, marriages, or titles that are hollow shells. Common subjects: 组织, 制度, 婚姻, 条约, 规定. Opposite: 名副其实 (name matches reality).

Stroke Order

名 míng

存 cún

实 shí

亡 wáng