名落孙山
míng luò Sūn Shān
to fail an exam
Character by character
名míng
name
name
落luò
falls behind
falls behind
孙Sūn
Sun
Sun
山Shān
Shan
Shan
Example
他今年高考名落孙山，打算明年再考。
He failed the gaokao this year and plans to sit it again next year.
Tone: neutral.
Usage and origin
Sun Shan came last on the pass list. Asked about a neighbour’s son, he replied that the boy’s name came after his own.
Learn this in Lesson 78 · HSK 6–7: 科举制度 (The imperial examinations)
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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