Definition

1. Noun:
   • Mandarins' grades: In the context of the old Vietnamese feudal administrative system, "phẩm hàm" refers to the hierarchical ranking system for mandarins (officials). It denotes both the rank (phẩm) and the official title/position (hàm) within the bureaucracy.
   • Official rank and title: It specifically indicates the combined grade and titular position of a mandarin.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Trong triều đình phong kiến, mỗi vị quan đều có phẩm hàm rõ ràng. (In the feudal court, every mandarin had a clear official rank and title.)
  • Ông ấy được thăng lên phẩm hàm cao hơn sau nhiều năm phục vụ. (He was promoted to a higher mandarin grade after many years of service.)
  • Phẩm hàm quyết định quyền lực và bổng lộc của một vị quan. (The mandarin's grade determined his power and emoluments.)

Advanced Usage

• "phẩm hàm cao/thấp": high/low mandarin grade.
  • Chỉ những người có phẩm hàm cao mới được vào điện Cần Chánh. (Only those with high mandarin grades were allowed into the Can Chanh Palace.)

Variants and Related Words

• Phẩm (n): Often used as a shorter form, meaning "rank" or "grade" within the system.
  • Ông ta giữ phẩm tòng nhị phẩm. (He held the rank of Deputy Second Grade.)
• Hàm (n): The official title or positional name.
  • Ông được phong hàm Thượng thư. (He was conferred the title of Minister.)
• Quan chức (n): Official, functionary (a more general modern term).
• Cấp bậc (n): Rank, level (a general modern term for hierarchy).

Synonyms

• Thứ bậc quan lại: Bureaucratic hierarchy.
• Cấp hàm quan chức: Official's grade and title.

Notes on Usage

• This is a historical term (từ cũ). It is primarily used when discussing Vietnam's pre-modern feudal history, administration, or in historical novels and dramas. It is not used for modern civil service ranks.
• The term inherently combines two concepts: "phẩm" (the numerical or hierarchical grade, e.g., nhất phẩm - first grade) and "hàm" (the specific official title, e.g., Thượng thư - Minister). Therefore, it is a compound noun representing the complete official status.

1. (từ cũ) Mandarins' grades