成为…的代名词
to become a byword for; to become synonymous with
Structure
A 成为／成了 B 的代名词
What it means
“To become a byword for”: a name comes to stand for a whole idea, such as a brand for a lifestyle, a place for a quality or a person for a type.
How it is built
A + 成为／成了 + B (noun phrase or quoted word) + 的代名词: 茅台成了高档宴请的代名词 (Moutai became a byword for high-end entertaining).
When to use it
Speech and writing; it can praise or shame. Unlike 代表 (typical example): 茅台是酱香型白酒的代表 says it is the best-known example; 代名词 says people say “Moutai” when they mean a lavish dinner.
Watch out
Keep the order A 成了 B 的代名词: ✗成了代名词的高档宴请 ✓成了高档宴请的代名词. Note that 代名词 on its own is also the grammar term “pronoun”.
Examples
一场又一场盛宴下来，茅台成了高档宴请的代名词。
Banquet after banquet, Moutai became a byword for high-end entertaining.
在很多人心里，“双十一”已经成为网购的代名词。
For many people, Double Eleven has become synonymous with online shopping.
这家公司接连出了几次质量问题，名字几乎成了“质量差”的代名词。
After a string of quality scandals, the company’s name has become almost a byword for shoddy goods.
Learn this in Lesson 139 · HSK 7–9: 茅台 (Moutai)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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