Definition

1. Verb:
   • To compete in an examination or contest: The primary meaning of "ứng thí" is to present oneself to take part in a formal, competitive examination or test, often in a historical or official context.
   • To sit for an exam: It specifically refers to the act of participating in an examination, especially the traditional civil service exams in historical Vietnam.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Nhiều sĩ tử từ khắp nơi đã đến kinh thành để ứng thí. (Many scholars from all over came to the capital to compete in the examinations.)
  • Ông ấy đã ứng thí và đỗ Trạng nguyên. (He sat for the exam and achieved the highest rank, Trạng Nguyên.)
  • Việc ứng thí ngày xưa rất khó khăn và nghiêm ngặt. (Taking exams in the old days was very difficult and strict.)

Advanced Usage

• "ứng thí" in Modern Context: While historically specific, the term can be used in a modern, sometimes slightly formal or literary sense to mean "to take a competitive exam."
  • Cô ấy đang chuẩn bị tinh thần để ứng thí vào trường đại học danh tiếng đó. (She is mentally preparing to take the entrance exam for that prestigious university.)

Variants and Related Words

• Đi thi / Dự thi (verb): To take an exam. These are the common, modern equivalents for "to take a test/exam."
  • Ngày mai tôi phải đi thi. (I have to take an exam tomorrow.)
• Thi cử (noun): Examinations, the general system or act of taking exams.
  • Áp lực thi cử rất lớn. (The pressure of examinations is very high.)
• Sĩ tử (noun): Candidate, scholar (specifically one taking traditional exams).
  • Các sĩ tử lo lắng chờ đợi kết quả. (The candidates anxiously awaited the results.)

Synonyms

• Dự thi: To participate in an exam.
• Tham gia kỳ thi: To participate in an examination period/contest.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Ứng thí không phải là chuyện dễ dàng. (Taking the exam was no easy matter.) – This is a common sentence pattern using the verb.

Related Idioms

• "Mang lều chõng đi ứng thí": Literally "to carry a tent and a cooking tripod to take the exam." This idiom evokes the historical image of scholars traveling long distances and camping for days to take the imperial exams. It symbolizes arduous preparation and dedication for a major test.
  • Việc ôn thi căng thẳng chẳng khác nào mang lều chõng đi ứng thí ngày xưa. (The intense exam review is no different from the old days of carrying a tent and tripod to take the exam.)

verb

1. to compete