míng名namechuí垂hang downqīng青greenshǐ史history
Name handed down in history — to leave a lasting legacy.
Literal meaning
name (名) — hang down (垂) — green (青) — history (史)
Origin
青史 (the "green history") refers to ancient Chinese historical records, originally written on green bamboo slips. To 垂 (hang down, leave behind) a name in those records meant ensuring future generations would remember it. The phrase has been the standard image for historical legacy since the Tang dynasty.
Examples
Zhè这wèi位kē科xué学jiā家de的fā发xiàn现ràng让tā他míng名chuí垂qīng青shǐ史。
This scientist's discovery secured his place in history.
Wèi为guó国juān捐qū躯，míng名chuí垂qīng青shǐ史。
Dying for one's country leaves a name in history.
Usage & nuances
High register — reserve for historically-significant figures. Common in eulogies, history writing, monument inscriptions.
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