有名無実(ゆうめいむじつ)

ゆうめいむじつ
noun, na-adjective
nominal, in name only, empty title
1. nominal, in name only
Having a name, title, or status without the corresponding substance, power, or reality. Something that exists only on paper.
その委員会(いいんかい)は有名無実(ゆうめいむじつ)になっている。
That committee has become nominal (exists in name only).
有名無実(ゆうめいむじつ)な規則(きそく)を見直(みなお)す必要(ひつよう)がある。
We need to review rules that exist only on paper.
会長(かいちょう)は有名無実(ゆうめいむじつ)で、実権(じっけん)は副会長(ふくかいちょう)が握(にぎ)っている。
The chairman is nominal; the real power is held by the vice chairman.

TYPE: 四字熟語(よじじゅくご) (four-character compound)

COMPOSITION:

  • 有名(ゆうめい) (having a name) + 無実(むじつ) (no substance)
  • 有(ゆう) (have) + 名(めい) (name) + 無(む) (without) + 実(じつ) (substance, reality)
  • Literally: "having name, without substance"

USAGE AS NA-ADJECTIVE:

  • 有名無実(ゆうめいむじつ)な法律(ほうりつ) (a law in name only)
  • 有名無実(ゆうめいむじつ)な制度(せいど) (a nominal system)

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 有名無実(ゆうめいむじつ)になる (to become nominal)
  • 有名無実(ゆうめいむじつ)の存在(そんざい) (nominal existence)
  • 有名無実(ゆうめいむじつ)と化(か)す (to become empty of substance)

CONTRAST:

  • 有名無実(ゆうめいむじつ): in name only (negative - implies lacking substance)
  • 名実(めいじつ)共(とも)に: both in name and reality (positive - complete alignment)

CONTEXTS:

Often used for:

  • Organizations or committees that no longer function
  • Titles or positions without real authority
  • Rules or agreements that aren't enforced
  • Leaders who are figureheads

Related Words

Antonym: 名実共(めいじつとも)に (in name and reality)
general
Added 2026.1.17 23:47 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
06000/06459_yuumeimujitsu