Definition

1. Noun:
   • A graduate of a state competition-examination: In the historical context of Vietnam's feudal examination system, "giáp bảng" refers to a person who successfully passed the highest-level state examinations (đại khoa), earning a doctoral degree and a high-ranking mandarin position.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Ông cụ thân sinh ra nhà nho ấy là một giáp bảng. (The father of that scholar was a giáp bảng.)
  • Trong làng có một vị giáp bảng nổi tiếng về đức độ. (In the village, there was a renowned giáp bảng known for his virtue.)

Advanced Usage

• This term is archaic and is primarily used in historical, literary, or formal contexts discussing Vietnam's pre-modern Confucian examination system and scholarly traditions.

Variants and Related Words

• Tiến sĩ: Doctor, the academic title equivalent to the degree earned by a .
• Đại khoa: The highest level of the imperial examinations, which a passed.
• Ông nghè: A colloquial and respectful term for a (doctorate holder) from the imperial exams.

Synonyms

• Tiến sĩ: Doctor (the degree title).
• Nhà khoa bảng: A general term for a person who succeeded in the imperial examination system.

Notes on Meaning

• The term specifically denotes a person who passed the palace examination (thi Đình) and had their name listed on the golden board (bảng vàng). It implies the highest scholarly achievement in the old system, beyond the levels of cử nhân (bachelor) and phó bảng (associate doctor).

1. (từ cũ; nghĩa cũ) Graduate of a state competition-examination