Chinese idiom · 成语
声名狼藉
Meaning
Reputation in tatters; thoroughly disgraced.
Character by character
Origin and story
Literary usageThe expression links a bad reputation with langji, a word associated with disorder and disreputable conduct. The relevant early explanation is in Sima Zhen's Tang commentary on the Records of the Grand Historian. In the main narrative, Meng Yi protests against unjust execution by recalling rulers condemned for killing valuable ministers. Sima Zhen explains that their evil reputation spread among the states.
The commentary's wording is e sheng lang ji, not the exact modern expression, which is documented in later fiction and historical writing. The origin is therefore better understood through the history of that reputational language than through a literal story about wolves tearing up a mat.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
那家维修店多次乱收费，如今在附近已经声名狼藉。
That repair shop has repeatedly charged unfair fees and now has a terrible reputation locally.
A severe criticism of reputation, not merely being unpopular.