Definition

1. Noun:
   • Second-grade doctorate: In the traditional Vietnamese imperial examination system, "nhị giáp" refers to the second-highest rank of doctorate (tiến sĩ) awarded to successful candidates. It is an archaic term.
   • Second class/grade: More broadly, it can denote the second rank or class in a historical classification system.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Ông ấy đỗ nhị giáp tiến sĩ dưới thời vua Lê. (He achieved the second-grade doctorate under the Lê dynasty.)
  • Trong kỳ thi, danh hiệu nhị giáp là rất cao quý. (In the examination, the title of second-grade doctorate was very prestigious.)

Advanced Usage

• "Đỗ nhị giáp": to pass/achieve the second-grade doctorate.
  • Cụ tổ của dòng họ từng đỗ nhị giáp. (The clan's ancestor once achieved the second-grade doctorate.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nhị giáp tiến sĩ (n): Second-grade doctorate (the full, more specific term).
  • Bia tiến sĩ ghi danh những người đỗ nhị giáp tiến sĩ. (The doctorate steles record the names of those who achieved the second-grade doctorate.)
• Đệ nhị giáp (n): Synonymous with "nhị giáp," also meaning second grade/class.
• Nhất giáp (n): First-grade doctorate (the rank above).
• Tam giáp (n): Third-grade doctorate (the rank below).

Synonyms

• Bằng tiến sĩ hạng nhì: Second-class doctorate degree (a modern descriptive equivalent).
• Hạng nhì: Second place/rank.

Notes

• This is a historical term (often marked as "cũ" or "arch." in dictionaries) related to the Confucian examination system in Vietnam and is not used in modern academic contexts. The modern equivalent for a doctoral degree is "tiến sĩ" without such graded classifications.

1. (cũ) Second grade (doctorate)