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)

Etymology

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)

Similar words

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)

Usage

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)

Compare: 看板倒(かんばんだお)れ (all show and no substance)

Compare: 名実(めいじつ) (name and reality)

general

Added 2026.1.17 23:47 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

06000/06459_yuumeimujitsu