被称为…
to be called; to be known as
Structure
A 被 （人们） 称为 B
What it means
“To be called”, “to be known as”: a neutral way to give the name or title something is known by.
How it is built
A + 被 (人们) + 称为 + B: 成都被称为“天府之国” (Chengdu is known as the “Land of Abundance”).
When to use it
Neutral naming, common in writing and news. 被誉为 is for praise only, “hailed as”. The formal active form is 称之为: 人们称之为….
Watch out
Don’t use 被誉为 for a neutral or negative label: ✗ 这里被誉为最危险的城市。 ✓ 这里被称为最危险的城市。
Examples
春运被称为世界上规模最大的人口迁移。
The travel rush is called the largest human migration on Earth.
成都被称为“天府之国”。
Chengdu is known as the “Land of Abundance”.
Learn this in Lesson 3 · HSK 5: 高铁与春运 (High-speed rail and the New Year rush)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. This lesson is free.
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