khoa đệ
Definition
Noun: - Historical term for the ranking of successful candidates in the imperial examinations: In feudal Vietnam, "khoa đệ" referred to the official classification or hierarchical order of those who passed the royal civil service exams (thi Hội, thi Đình). It denotes the specific grade or rank (e.g., Trạng nguyên, Bảng nhãn, Thám hoa, Hoàng giáp, Tiến sĩ) awarded to a laureate.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Ông ấy đỗ đạt với khoa đệ cao. (He passed the exams with a high rank.)
- Khoa đệ của các tiến sĩ được ghi chép cẩn thận trong sử sách. (The rankings of the doctors were carefully recorded in the historical annals.)
Advanced Usage
- This term is archaic and is exclusively used in historical or academic contexts discussing Vietnam's feudal examination system and mandarin bureaucracy. It is not used in modern conversation.
Variants and Related Words
- Khoa bảng (n): The world of imperial examinations and degrees; the scholarly mandarin class.
- Đỗ đạt (v): To pass exams, to achieve academic success.
- Cập đệ (v/phrase): To pass the highest imperial exams successfully (often used in poetry).
Synonyms
- Thứ bậc (n): Rank, grade (general modern term).
- Hạng (n): Grade, class (general modern term).
- Danh thứ (n): Order of names/ranking (a more formal historical synonym).
Notes on Meaning
- Core Meaning: The hierarchical classification of graduates from the imperial exams.
- Contextual Meaning: It implies not just passing, but achieving a specific, honored position within the Confucian scholarly hierarchy, which determined one's official position and social prestige.