míng​bù​zhèng​zé​yán​bù​shùn

if the name is not right, then the words will not flow

Senses

名不正则言不顺/ 名不正則言不順 míng​bù​zhèng​zé​yán​bù​shùn if the name is not right, then the words will not flow

If a title or status is not proper or legitimate, then whatever is said will not sound reasonable or be persuasive; originates from the 论语 lún​yǔ

References

No references for this word.