nominal position; titular role
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 5 examplesverb
to hold a nominal/titular position; to be a figurehead
Often implies holding a title without actual responsibilities. Can take the erhua suffix '-r' (挂名儿).
Tā他
zài在
gōng公
sī司
zhǐ只
shì是
guà挂
míng名
dǒng董
shì事
，
cóng从
bù不
cān参
yǔ与
shí实
jì际
jué决
cè策
。
He is just a nominal director in the company and never participates in actual decision-making.
Zhè这
gè个
jiào教
shòu授
yǐ已
jīng经
tuì退
xiū休
le了
，
dàn但
hái还
zài在
yán研
jiū究
suǒ所
guà挂
míng名
，
dài带
dài带
xué学
sheng生
。
This professor has already retired, but still holds a nominal position at the research institute to mentor students.
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Bié别
kàn看
tā他
tóu头
xián衔
hěn很
duō多
，
qí其
shí实
dōu都
shì是
guà挂
míng名
de的
，
méi没
yǒu有
shí实
quán权
。
Don't be impressed by his many titles—they are all nominal, with no real authority.
Tā他
zhè这
gè个
gù顾
wèn问
bù不
guò过
shì是
guà挂
gè个
míng名
，
cóng从
lái来
bù不
chū出
móu谋
huà划
cè策
。
His role as a consultant is just a nominal one; he never offers any strategic advice.
Yǒu有
xiē些
rén人
cān参
jiā加
huì会
yì议
zhǐ只
shì是
wèi为
le了
guà挂
míng名
chōng充
shù数
。
Some people attend meetings just to fill a nominal slot and make up the numbers.