远近闻名

• Pinyin: yuǎn jìn wén míng
• Hanzi breakdown: 远 = 辶 + 袁 (movement + long robe — far away); 近 = 辶 + 斤 (movement + axe — nearby, close); 闻 = 门 + 耳 (gate + ear — to hear, to be heard of); 名 = 夕 + 口 (evening + mouth — calling out one's name in the dark, hence name/fame)

Meaning

Famous far and near; renowned throughout a wide area; well-known to people both close and far away.

A four-character idiom describing something or someone whose fame extends across a broad geographic and social sphere — from the local community to distant places. Often used with pride to describe local specialities (特产), renowned craftspeople, institutions, or individuals whose reputation has spread well beyond their immediate locale. 远近闻名的老字号 (a brand famous far and near), 远近闻名的学府 (a renowned institution), and 远近闻名的名医 (a renowned physician known far and near) are typical collocations. More emphatic and literary than 很有名 (very famous).

Examples

1. 凤凰古城因沈从文的描写而渐渐远近闻名，成了文学圣地和旅游胜地。 Phoenix Ancient Town became far and near well known thanks to Shen Congwen's writing, and turned into a literary landmark and tourist destination.
2. 这座县城的泥塑作坊靠代代传承和不断创新，把濒危手艺做成了远近闻名的非遗品牌。 This county's clay sculpture workshop relied on generations of inheritance and constant innovation to turn an endangered craft into a far and near well known intangible cultural heritage brand.
3. 学校的远近闻名未必都代表真正卓越，有时只是高考成绩突出后被媒体和家长放大的光环。 A school's being far and near well known does not always mean real excellence; sometimes it is only the halo amplified by media and parents after standout college entrance exam results.

Usage Guide

Context: culture, reputation, local heritage, journalism, narrative writing

Tone: celebratory

Do Say

• 这家百年老字号成了远近闻名的品牌，不靠大广告，只靠几十年如一日的品质和口碑。(This century-old brand became far and near well known not through big advertising, but through decades of consistent quality and word of mouth.)
• 这座古镇因手工竹编而远近闻名，节假日总挤满游客。(This ancient town is far and near famous for its handmade bamboo weaving, and it is always crowded with visitors during holidays.)

Don't Say

• 他远近闻名地喜欢喝茶 — 远近闻名 is used for people, places, institutions, or things that have earned a widespread reputation; it does not modify personal habits or preferences; use 出了名地 or 人尽皆知 for widely known personal traits; 远近闻名地 as an adverb modifying a personal habit sounds grammatically and semantically mismatched

Origin & History

远近 (far and near — 远 far + 近 near/close, together meaning everywhere, in all directions) + 闻名 (to be heard of by name — 闻 to hear + 名 name/fame). Together: heard of by name both near and far — famous in all directions.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal