nominal; in name only; titular
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
to exist in name only; to be nominal; to have a title without the substance
Used to describe positions, relationships, organizations, or entities that have a name or title but lack the corresponding reality, function, or substance.
Zhè这
gè个
wěi委
yuán员
huì会
zhǐ只
shì是
gè个
yǒu有
míng名
wú无
shí实
de的
jī机
gòu构
，
méi没
yǒu有
shí实
jì际
quán权
lì力
。
This committee is merely a nominal body without any real authority.
Tā他
men们
suī虽
rán然
shì是
fū夫
qī妻
，
dàn但
hūn婚
yīn姻
zǎo早
yǐ已
yǒu有
míng名
wú无
shí实
。
Although they are husband and wife, their marriage has long existed in name only.
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Tā他
shì是
yǒu有
míng名
wú无
shí实
de的
lǐng领
dǎo导
，
dà大
shì事
dōu都
yóu由
bié别
rén人
jué决
dìng定
。
He is a leader in name only; major decisions are made by others.
Nà那
gè个
tóu头
xián衔
yǒu有
míng名
wú无
shí实
，
méi没
yǒu有
dài带
lái来
rèn任
hé何
shí实
jì际
hǎo好
chu处
。
That title is purely nominal and hasn't brought any real benefits.