liệt truyện
Definition
- Noun:
- Biographies of exemplary figures: A type of historical writing or book that records the lives and deeds of talented, virtuous, or notable individuals from ancient times.
- Biographical section: The specific section within a traditional feudal-era historical chronicle (such as a dynastic history) dedicated to compiling the biographies of important historical figures.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- "Sử ký" của Tư Mã Thiên có phần "liệt truyện" rất nổi tiếng. (Sima Qian's "Records of the Grand Historian" has a very famous "liezhuan" (biographies) section.)
- Các nhà nghiên cứu thường xem "liệt truyện" để tìm hiểu về danh nhân. (Researchers often consult "liezhuan" to learn about famous personalities.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is primarily used in the context of classical East Asian historiography, particularly Chinese and Vietnamese historical texts modeled after the Chinese format.
- It implies a formal, official record intended for posterity, often emphasizing moral exemplars or key political and military figures.
Variants and Related Words
- Chính truyện (n): main annals; the section of a dynastic history recording events in chronological order, centered on the emperor.
- Bản kỷ (n): basic annals; a similar section to "chính truyện."
- Biệt truyện (n): a separate or independent biography, not part of an official dynastic history.
Synonyms
- Biographies: Written accounts of a person's life.
- Collected biographies: A series of biographies compiled together.
- Life stories: Narratives detailing the events of a person's life.
Related Concepts
- Sử ký (n): historical records; annals.
- Thông sử (n): general history.
- Tiểu sử (n): biography (modern, general term).