trạng nguyên
Definition
- Noun:
- Trạng Nguyên (archaic title): The highest-ranking laureate, the top scorer, in the imperial examination system (Thi Đình) of feudal Vietnam. This title was awarded to the candidate who achieved first place in the palace examination, the final and most prestigious level of the Confucian civil service exams.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Mạc Đĩnh Chi là một trạng nguyên nổi tiếng thời Trần. (Mạc Đĩnh Chi was a famous Trạng Nguyên during the Trần dynasty.)
- Danh hiệu trạng nguyên được phong cho người đỗ đầu kỳ thi đình. (The title of Trạng Nguyên was conferred upon the top candidate in the palace examination.)
Advanced Usage
- The title is often used historically or metaphorically to denote the absolute best in a field, similar to "valedictorian" or "champion."
- Cô ấy là trạng nguyên của kỳ thi toán quốc gia. (She was the Trạng Nguyên [top champion] of the national math contest.)
Variants and Related Words
- Bảng Nhãn (n): "Second Laureate," the title for the candidate who placed second in the palace examination.
- Thám Hoa (n): "Third Laureate," the title for the candidate who placed third in the palace examination.
- Tiến sĩ (n): Doctorate, a successful candidate in the palace examination who earned the doctoral degree, a broader category that includes the .
Synonyms
- Top Laureate
- Principal Graduate
- First-ranked Doctoral Candidate
Related Idioms and Cultural References
- Ông Nghè, ông Cống cũng nhờ bà Trạng: A proverb meaning "Even the high-degree holders owe their success to their mothers," highlighting the importance of maternal education. It references the (short for Trạng Nguyên).
- The title is deeply embedded in Vietnamese folklore and history, with many stories about the wisdom and cleverness of famous like Trạng Trình (Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm).