Definition

Adjective phrase: - To have a wide knowledge (of things past and present), to be erudite: This phrase describes a person who possesses extensive and profound knowledge, encompassing both ancient and modern learning. It signifies deep scholarship and intellectual breadth.

Usage Examples

• Adjective phrase:
  • Giáo sư ấy thực sự là một người bác cổ thông kim. (That professor is truly an erudite person, knowledgeable about both past and present.)
  • Để trở thành một học giả bác cổ thông kim đòi hỏi sự nghiên cứu suốt đời. (Becoming a scholar with wide knowledge of things past and present requires lifelong study.)

Advanced Usage

• This phrase is a classical, literary expression, often used in formal writing or speech to offer high praise for someone's intellect and learning. It is not typically used in casual, everyday conversation.
• It can function as a predicate adjective following "là" (to be) or as an attributive adjective before a noun like "học giả" (scholar) or "người" (person).

Variants and Related Words

• Uyên bác (adj): Erudite, profoundly learned. (A more common single-word synonym.)
• Thông thái (adj): Wise, sagacious. (Emphasizes wisdom alongside knowledge.)
• Học rộng hiểu nhiều (phrase): To have broad learning and deep understanding. (A more descriptive, modern equivalent.)

Synonyms

• Uyên thâm: Deep, profound (knowledge).
• Trí tuệ uyên bác: Having erudite intellect.

Related Idioms

• This phrase is itself a classical idiom, structured as a four-character idiom (từ Hán Việt) commonly found in Vietnamese.

1. To have a wide knowledge (of things past and present), to be erudite