làng nho
Definition
- Noun:
- The world of scholars / the literati class: A classical Vietnamese term referring to the collective community or social sphere of Confucian scholars, intellectuals, and educated mandarins in historical, pre-modern Vietnam.
- The scholarly community: Denotes the environment, society, or circles dominated by scholars who studied the Confucian classics and participated in the imperial examination system.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Ông ấy từng là một nhân vật nổi tiếng trong làng nho xưa. (He was once a famous figure in the old world of scholars.)
- Tác phẩm này phê phán những thói hư tật xấu của làng nho. (This work criticizes the vices and bad habits of the literati class.)
Advanced Usage
- The term "làng nho" is primarily used in historical or literary contexts to discuss traditional Vietnamese society and its educated elite. It often carries connotations of the values, rigid hierarchies, and sometimes the hypocrisy associated with that class.
Variants and Related Words
- Nhà nho (n): A Confucian scholar; an individual scholar within the "làng nho."
- Nhà nho chân chính phải giữ lòng thanh liêm. (A true Confucian scholar must maintain integrity.)
Synonyms
- The literati: The class of educated people, especially those involved in literature, philosophy, and the arts.
- Scholarly circles: The community or groups of scholars.
- The Confucian scholarly world: Specifically emphasizes the Confucian ideological foundation of this group.
Related Idioms
- While "làng nho" itself is a fixed term, it is often discussed in relation to concepts like:
- "Cửa Khổng sân Trình": Refers to the school of Confucius and Cheng Yi, symbolizing orthodox Confucian education and the gateway into the "làng nho."
- "Bút nghiên": (Brush and inkstone) Symbolizes the scholarly life and tools of the literati.