名言

• Pinyin: míng yán
• Hanzi breakdown: 名 = 夕 (evening) + 口 (mouth); 言 = 言 — words, speech (the mouth producing meaningful words)

Meaning

Famous saying; well-known quotation; maxim. A memorable and widely cited expression, often attributed to a notable historical or intellectual figure.

Can refer to historical proverbs, literary quotations, philosophical maxims, or modern inspirational quotes. 名人名言 (famous sayings by famous people) is a common compound. Used in speeches, essays, and motivational contexts to add authority and depth.

Examples

1. 老师在黑板上写下了一句名言，提醒学生珍惜时间。 The teacher wrote a famous quote on the blackboard to remind the students to cherish their time.
2. 这本书收录了古今中外各领域思想家的经典名言。 This book collects classic quotations from thinkers across different fields, from ancient times to the present, in China and around the world.
3. 他演讲时引用了爱因斯坦的名言，引发了听众的深思。 In his speech, he quoted a famous saying by Einstein, prompting the audience to reflect deeply.

Usage Guide

Context: education, literature, speeches, philosophy

Tone: respectful, authoritative

Do Say

• 他把这句名言作为自己的座右铭，始终激励着自己克服困难向前行。(He took this famous saying as his personal motto, always inspiring himself to overcome difficulties and press on.)
• 演讲开头引用一句贴切的名言，往往能迅速抓住听众的注意力。(Opening a speech with an apt famous saying can often quickly capture the audience's attention.)

Don't Say

• 把'名言'用于普通说法或来源不明的引用 (名言 implies a genuinely well-known and attributed quote; for an unverified or casual saying use 俗话 or 谚语)

Origin & History

名 (famous, notable) + 言 (words, speech). Literally 'notable words,' i.e., a famous and enduring quotation.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal