illustrious; prestigious; eminent
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesadjective
illustrious and prestigious; famous and eminent
literaryLiterary term often used in negative constructions such as 不求闻达 (not seeking fame and prestige). Derived from classical Chinese, notably from Zhuge Liang's 《出师表》.
Zhū诸
gě葛
Liàng亮
bù不
qiú求
wén闻
dá达
yú于
zhū诸
hóu侯
，
gǒu苟
quán全
xìng性
mìng命
yú于
luàn乱
shì世
。
Zhuge Liang sought neither fame among nobles nor prestige among lords, but merely to preserve his life in troubled times.
Tā他
dàn淡
bó泊
míng名
lì利
，
bù不
qiú求
wén闻
dá达
，
zhǐ只
qiú求
guò过
píng平
jìng静
de的
shēng生
huó活
。
He is indifferent to fame and wealth, seeks no prestige, and only wishes to live a peaceful life.
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Nà那
wèi位
lǎo老
jiào教
shòu授
yī一
shēng生
bù不
qiú求
wén闻
dá达
，
zhuān专
xīn心
zhì治
xué学
。
That elderly professor never sought fame his whole life, but devoted himself entirely to academic research.
Zài在
zhè这
gè个
fú浮
zào躁
de的
shí时
dài代
，
bù不
qiú求
wén闻
dá达
de的
rén人
yuè越
lái来
yuè越
shǎo少
le了
。
In this impetuous era, there are fewer and fewer people who do not seek fame and prestige.