'Míng yán' literally combines 'míng' (famous, renowned) and 'yán' (speech, saying), meaning a well-known, insightful, or widely quoted statement—often from a historical figure, philosopher, or cultural authority. These sayings are valued for their wisdom, brevity, and enduring relevance, and they frequently appear in essays, speeches, textbooks, and daily conversation to support an argument or express a universal truth.

Unlike casual proverbs (谚语 yànyǔ) or idioms (成语 chéngyǔ), míng yán emphasizes authorship and prestige: it’s typically attributed to a specific person (e.g., Confucius, Lu Xun) and carries moral, philosophical, or inspirational weight. It’s commonly introduced with phrases like 'as [person] once said' or used standalone as a rhetorical device. While often formal, it can also appear in motivational contexts, social media posts, or classroom discussions about values and character.