Definition

1. Noun:
   • Classical commentary / Exegesis: The detailed explanation, interpretation, or commentary on the meaning of a passage from a classical Confucian text or ancient scripture.
   • Examination essay genre: A specific genre of essay in the old imperial examination system where candidates had to explicate the meaning of a given topic or phrase taken from the Confucian classics.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Các nhà nho thảo luận về kinh nghĩa của một câu trong "Luận Ngữ". (The scholars discussed the classical exegesis of a passage from the Analects.)
  • Thí sinh thời xưa phải viết một bài kinh nghĩa trong kỳ thi. (Candidates in the old days had to write an examination commentary essay for the test.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is historically specific, primarily used in the context of traditional East Asian scholarship and the civil service examination system. It represents a formal, scholarly exercise in hermeneutics (interpretation) applied to canonical texts.

Variants and Related Words

• Chú giải (n): annotation, commentary (a more general term for explanation).
• Bình chú (n): commentary and critique.
• Kinh văn (n): the classical text itself, as opposed to its commentary.

Synonyms

• Exegesis: Critical explanation or interpretation of a text, especially religious scripture.
• Commentary: A set of explanatory or critical notes on a text.
• Explication: The process of analyzing and explaining the meaning of a text in detail.

Related Concepts

• Khoa cử (n): The imperial examination system.
• Tứ thư, Ngũ kinh (n): The and , the core Confucian texts which were the primary sources for topics.