nominal; in name only; figurehead
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesverb
to do something in someone's name; to bear a nominal title without real responsibility
informalOften used with '个' as '应个名儿'. Implies lending one's name or reputation to something without actual involvement.
Nǐ你
yīng应
ge个
míng名
r儿
ba吧
，
fǎn反
zhèng正
yě也
méi没
yǒu有
duō多
shǎo少
shì事
r儿
。
Just lend your name to it; there's not much work anyway.
Tā他
zhǐ只
shì是
yīng应
ge个
míng名
r儿
，
shí实
jì际
gōng工
zuò作
dōu都
shì是
bié别
rén人
zuò做
de的
。
He just holds the nominal title; the actual work is all done by others.
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Zhè这
ge个
zhǔ主
rèn任
tā他
zhǐ只
shì是
yīng应
míng名
r儿
，
bìng并
bù不
guǎn管
shì事
。
He only holds the position of director in name and doesn't actually manage affairs.
adverb
merely in name; nominally
neutralDescribes relationships or statuses that exist only nominally but not in reality. Often used with '是' or '的'.
Tā他
men们
yīng应
míng名
r儿
shì是
qīn亲
qi戚
，
shí实
jì际
shàng上
bù不
dà大
lái来
wǎng往
。
They are nominally relatives, but in reality they don't have much contact.
Zhè这
yīng应
míng名
r儿
shì是
ge个
xué学
xiào校
，
qí其
shí实
tiáo条
jiàn件
hěn很
chà差
。
This is nominally a school, but the conditions are actually very poor.
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Tā他
men们
zhǐ只
shì是
yīng应
míng名
r儿
de的
fū夫
qī妻
，
zǎo早
jiù就
fēn分
jū居
le了
。
They are only nominally husband and wife; they've been separated for a long time.