Definition

1. Noun (Historical):
   • First Grade (Doctorate): In the historical imperial examination system of Vietnam, "nhất giáp" was the highest classification for doctoral candidates who achieved the top scores. It was divided into three ranked positions within this top tier.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Ông ấy đỗ đệ nhất giáp tiến sĩ. (He passed the doctoral exam with first-grade honors.)
  • Nhất giáp là danh hiệu cao quý thời phong kiến. (First-grade doctorate was a prestigious title in the feudal era.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is almost exclusively used in historical contexts. The three specific ranked titles within the "nhất giáp" were:
  • Đệ nhất giáp tiến sĩ đệ nhất danh (First Laureate of the First Grade).
  • Đệ nhất giáp tiến sĩ đệ nhị danh (Second Laureate of the First Grade).
  • Đệ nhất giáp tiến sĩ đệ tam danh (Third Laureate of the First Grade).

Variants and Related Words

• Đệ nhất giáp: A fuller form of the term, often used interchangeably.
• Tiến sĩ (n): Doctorate, scholar who passed the highest imperial exams.
• Nhị giáp (n): Second-grade doctorate, the classification below "nhất giáp".
• Tam giáp (n): Third-grade doctorate, the classification below "nhị giáp".

Synonyms

• Top-grade doctorate: The highest classification.
• First-class scholar: A descriptive synonym emphasizing rank.

Related Idioms

• Bảng vàng bia đá: (Golden placard, stone stele) Refers to the enduring honor of having one's name inscribed for exam success, an honor particularly associated with top graduates like those in the "nhất giáp".
  • Tên tuổi các vị đỗ nhất giáp được lưu truyền "bảng vàng bia đá". (The names of those who achieved first-grade doctorate are preserved for posterity as a "golden placard, stone stele".)

1. (cũ) First grade (doctorate)