Definition

1. Noun (historical/cultural context):
   • Achieving top honors in the imperial examinations: Refers specifically to the act of passing with the highest distinction in the royal competitive examinations (thi Hội, thi Đình) under Vietnam's feudal dynasties. It implies becoming a high-ranking mandarin.
   • A major success: By extension, it can metaphorically describe achieving a great, prestigious accomplishment, especially in scholarly or career pursuits.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Sau bao năm đèn sách, ông ấy đã đại đăng khoa. (After years of diligent study, he achieved top honors in the imperial exams.)
  • Việc được bổ nhiệm vào vị trí đó được xem như một lần đại đăng khoa trong sự nghiệp của anh ấy. (Being appointed to that position is considered a major career triumph for him.)

Advanced Usage

• Historical/Literary Context: This term is primarily used in historical narratives, classical literature, or in formal, figurative language to evoke a sense of grand, traditional scholarly achievement.
  • Câu chuyện về những trạng nguyên đại đăng khoa vẫn còn lưu truyền mãi. (The stories of the doctoral laureates who achieved top honors are still passed down through generations.)

Variants and Related Words

• Đăng khoa (verb/noun): To pass the imperial examinations; or the act of passing. A more general term than "đại đăng khoa".
  • Ông cụ đã đăng khoa vào năm 20 tuổi. (The old gentleman passed the imperial exams at the age of 20.)
• Tiểu đăng khoa (idiom, historical): Literally "minor success in examinations". A traditional, somewhat humorous idiom meaning "to get married".
  • Hôm nay là ngày tiểu đăng khoa của anh ấy. (Today is his wedding day [lit. the day of his minor success].)

Synonyms

• Thi đỗ (high level): To pass (an exam, especially a major one).
• Đỗ đạt: To succeed in examinations; to attain academic success.
• Vinhi vang: To achieve glory/honor (broader, not specific to exams).

Related Idioms/Phrases

• "Vinh quy bái tổ": This is the celebratory procession of a successful examination candidate returning to his hometown to pay respects to his ancestors. It is the direct consequence of "đại đăng khoa".
  • Sau khi đại đăng khoa, vị tân khoa đã thực hiện lễ vinh quy bái tổ. (After achieving top honors, the new laureate held the ceremonial homecoming to worship his ancestors.)

1. (cũ) Graduate (from a competition-examination)