‘Míngcè’ literally combines ‘míng’ (name) and ‘cè’ (book, register, or volume), meaning a formal list of names—typically organized for administrative, organizational, or record-keeping purposes. It implies officialness and structure: unlike casual lists (e.g., a shopping list), a míngcè is usually maintained by institutions like schools, companies, or event organizers to track membership, attendance, or eligibility.

You’ll encounter míngcè in contexts such as class rosters, employee directories, conference participant lists, or voter registers. While similar to ‘list’ in English, míngcè carries a connotation of authority and permanence—it’s not just any enumeration, but a documented, often printed or digitally archived, authoritative record. The word is neutral in register and commonly used in both written and formal spoken Chinese, especially in administrative or bureaucratic settings.