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状元

狀元
zhuàngyuan
noun HSK 7-9 #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

HSK 4
他是今年高考的状元。
Tā shì jīnnián gāokǎo de zhuàngyuan.
He is this year's top scorer in the college entrance exam.
HSK 6
古代的状元可以做大官。
Gǔdài de zhuàngyuan 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