挂名

掛名
guàmíng
verb #32,283

Meanings

  1. 1 to be nominal; in name only
  2. 2 to lend one's name to; to hold a position in name only

Examples

Tā zhǐ shì guàmíng dǒngshì, shíjì shàng bù cānyù jīngyíng.
He is only a nominal director; he doesn't actually participate in management.
Zhè jiā gōngsī de zǒngjīnglǐ zhǐ shì guàmíng éryǐ.
This company's general manager is just a figurehead.

Tips

memory
(hang) + (name) — your name is 'hung up' on the position like a sign, but you're not actually doing the work. The metaphor maps cleanly to English 'figurehead' or 'in name only'.
usage
Often slightly negative/cynical, implying the title is for show or to lend prestige without responsibility. Common collocations: 挂名董事 (nominal director), 挂名校长 (titular principal), 挂名作者 (credit-only author).

Stroke Order

guà
míng