标榜

• Pinyin: biāo bǎng
• Hanzi breakdown: 标 = 木 (wood) + 示 (show); 榜 = 木 (wood) + 旁 (beside)

Meaning

To flaunt; to advertise; to proclaim (often self-servingly).

Often carries a critical connotation, suggesting that someone or something is loudly proclaiming virtues that may not be genuine. Used when someone is promoting themselves or their values in a showy, possibly hypocritical way.

Examples

1. 他总是标榜自己有多努力，其实根本没做什么。 He always flaunts how hard he works, but actually doesn't do much of anything.
2. 这家公司标榜绿色环保，实际上污染问题很严重。 This company touts itself as environmentally friendly, but actually has serious pollution problems.
3. 别老标榜自己是好人，做出来让大家看看。 Stop proclaiming yourself a good person — show us through your actions.

Usage Guide

Context: critique, analysis, skepticism

Tone: critical

Do Say

• 别只会标榜，要拿出实际行动。(Don't just talk big — show some real action.)
• 他们标榜的价值观是假的。(The values they tout are fake.)

Don't Say

• 用标榜形容真诚宣传 (Don't use 标榜 for genuine promotion — it implies showiness or hypocrisy)

Origin & History

标 (mark/show) + 榜 (placard/notice). To post oneself on a notice — to advertise oneself.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal