Definition

1. Noun:
   • First-class honours (old usage): In the old Vietnamese education system, "hạng ưu" was the highest academic classification or distinction awarded to students, equivalent to "first-class honours" or "with highest honours".
   • Superior grade/rank (literal): The literal meaning of the components: "hạng" means class, rank, or grade; "ưu" means excellent, superior, or outstanding. Together, they denote the top rank.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Ông ấy tốt nghiệp đại học với bằng hạng ưu. (He graduated from university with first-class honours.)
  • Trong kỳ thi xưa, rất ít người đạt được hạng ưu. (In the old examinations, very few people achieved first-class honours.)

Advanced Usage Notes

• Historical/Literary Context: The term "hạng ưu" is considered archaic in modern Vietnamese. It is primarily encountered in historical texts, literature, or when discussing the old educational and imperial examination systems.
• Modern Equivalents: In the contemporary Vietnamese education system, classifications like "xuất sắc" (excellent) or "giỏi" (good) are used instead. The specific phrase "bằng loại ưu" might sometimes be heard, but "hạng ưu" itself is obsolete.

Variants and Related Words

• Ưu hạng (n): A less common variant with the same meaning (superior rank).
• Hạng nhất (n): First place/rank; a more modern and general term for the top position.
• Tốt nghiệp loại ưu (phrase): To graduate with high honours (a modern construction).
• Bằng giỏi (n): A "good" degree (a common modern classification).
• Bằng xuất sắc (n): An "excellent" degree (the highest modern classification).

Synonyms

• Thủ khoa (n): Valedictorian; the top graduate in a specific course or examination. (Note: This refers to a person's rank, not a grade classification.)
• Loại ưu (n): High honours category (a related modern phrasing).

Related Phrases

• Đỗ đầu (phrase): To pass an exam in first place.
• Đậu hạng ưu (phrase - archaic): To pass with first-class honours.

1. (từ cũ; nghĩa cũ) First-class honours