thi lễ
Definition
- Noun (Historical):
- A scholar's family / a literati lineage: Refers to a family with a tradition of Confucian scholarship and civil service, emphasizing education and classical learning.
- The act of formal courtesy: Denotes the exchange of very formal, ceremonious, and respectful greetings or polite gestures.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Anh ta là con nhà thi lễ. (He comes from a family of scholars / a literati lineage.)
- Hai vị quan thi lễ với nhau rất trịnh trọng. (The two officials exchanged very formal and ceremonious courtesies.)
Advanced Usage
- The term "thi lễ" is archaic and is primarily encountered in historical or literary contexts describing pre-modern Vietnamese society, which was heavily influenced by Confucian culture and the imperial examination system.
Variants and Related Words
- Nhà nho (n): A Confucian scholar; a literatus. This is a more common synonym for a scholar from the historical context.
- Ông ấy là một nhà nho chân chính. (He is a true Confucian scholar.)
Synonyms
- Literati family: A family of educated scholars.
- Formal salutations: Very polite and ceremonious greetings.
Related Concepts
- Lễ giáo: Rituals and moral teachings; the code of rites and propriety in Confucian philosophy, which governed formal behavior.
- Khoa cử: The imperial examination system, which scholars ("nhà nho" or from "nhà thi lễ") would take to enter government service.