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状元

狀元
zhuàngyuán
noun HSK 7 #35,653

Meanings

  1. 1 top scorer in the imperial examination
  2. 2 top scorer in an exam
  3. 3 the most outstanding person in a field

Examples

他是今年高考的状元。
Tā shì jīnnián gāokǎo de zhuàngyuán.
He is this year's top scorer in the college entrance exam.
古代的状元可以做大官。
Gǔdài de zhuàngyuán kěyǐ zuò dà guān.
In ancient times, the top scorer could become a high-ranking official.

Tips

history
In China's imperial examination system (科举), the 状元 was the #1 scorer in the final palace exam. The top three were: 状元 (1st), 榜眼 (2nd), and 探花 (3rd).
culture
Today 状元 is commonly used for the top scorer on the 高考 (college entrance exam). Each province's 高考状元 becomes a local celebrity.

Stroke Order

状 zhuàng
元 yuán