míngyù quán: 名誉权 - Right to Reputation, Right of Fame

• Keywords: mingyu quan, míngyù quán, 名誉权, right to reputation in Chinese, Chinese defamation law, slander in Chinese, libel in Chinese, protecting reputation China, 面子 vs 名誉权, Chinese legal terms
• Summary: 名誉权 (míngyù quán) is a crucial legal term in Chinese society, translating to the “right to reputation.” It is the legal basis for protecting an individual or entity from defamation, slander, and libel. More than just a legal concept, it is deeply intertwined with the cultural importance of “face” (面子), making it a powerful tool in both courtrooms and public discourse to defend one's honor and social standing in modern China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): míngyù quán
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: N/A
• Concise Definition: The legal right of a person or entity to their reputation, protecting them from damage caused by defamation, libel, and slander.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 名誉权 (míngyù quán) as a legal shield for your good name. In China, your reputation isn't just a social asset; it's a right protected by law. If someone spreads harmful lies about you online, in print, or by word-of-mouth, you can sue them for infringing on your “right to reputation.” It's the formal, legal version of defending your honor.

• 名 (míng): Originally a pictograph of a mouth (口) calling out in the evening (夕). It represents what you are called: your “name.” By extension, it also means “fame” or “reputation.”
• 誉 (yù): Composed of 言 (yán), meaning “speech,” and 与 (yǔ), meaning “to give.” The combined meaning is “to give good words” about someone, leading to its meaning of “praise” or “reputation.”
• 权 (quán): This character originally depicted a specific type of tree, but its meaning evolved to represent a weight on a scale, then “authority,” “power,” and finally, a “right” or entitlement.

The characters combine logically: 名誉 (míngyù) is a compound word for “reputation” or “honor.” Adding 权 (quán), “right,” transforms it into **名誉权 (míngyù