号称 hàochēng to be known as
to be known as; to be nicknamed; to be purportedly; to claim (often exaggeratedly or falsely)
How to remember 号称: 号 date + 称 balanced = to be known as.
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How it is used
- 'To be known as / billed as / claim to be (often with exaggeration)' - 号称世界第一 (hàochēng shìjiè dì-yī) billed as the world's number one.
- Carries a subtle note of skepticism: the claim may be inflated or nominal (号称百万大军 'a so-called army of a million'). Not a neutral 'called'.