名扬四海
míng yáng sì hǎi
famous throughout the land and beyond; world-famous
Character by character
名míng
name
name
扬yáng
spread
spread
四sì
four
four
海hǎi
seas
seas
Example
这家小饭馆被一部纪录片拍了进去，从此名扬四海，门口天天排长队。
This little restaurant appeared in a documentary and became famous everywhere; now there is a long queue at the door every day.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
四海, “the four seas”, is the old word for the whole known world, as in 五湖四海 and 四海之内皆兄弟. Said of people, places, brands and works that have become known far and wide: 名扬四海的少林寺. A grander, more literary cousin of 举世闻名 and 远近闻名; 名扬四方 is close.
Learn this in Lesson 244 · HSK 9+: 少林寺 (The Shaolin Temple)
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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