Meaning
臭名 literally means 'stinking name' and refers to a bad or notorious reputation. It describes the negative fame someone has gained due to their misdeeds, scandals, or immoral behavior. This word carries a strong negative connotation and is used to describe reputations that are widely known for being bad.
Usage
臭名 is commonly used in formal or written contexts, news reports, and serious discussions. It frequently appears in the phrase 臭名昭著 (chòu míng zhāo zhù, meaning 'notorious' or 'infamous'), which is a set expression emphasizing how widely known someone's bad reputation is. The word is relatively strong and would not typically be used in casual conversation about minor social faux pas.
Examples
- 01那个公司因为产品质量问题臭名昭著。.That company is notorious for product quality problems.
- 02他的臭名已经传遍了整个行业。.His bad reputation has spread throughout the entire industry.
Characters
Common collocations
- 臭名昭著notorious, infamous
- 臭名远扬notorious far and wide
- 败坏臭名to ruin one's reputation
Antonyms
Origin
The word combines 臭 (stinking) with 名 (name/reputation) to create a vivid metaphor comparing a bad reputation to something that smells offensive. This construction reflects the Chinese tendency to use sensory metaphors for abstract concepts.