状元

zhuàng yuán

CL 位 wèi 个 gè 名 míng

HSK 3.0 Level 7 Noun Rare

Definitions

1. top scorer in the palace examination (highest rank of the Imperial examination system)
2. see 榜眼[bǎng yǎn] and 探花[tàn huā]
3. top scorer in college entrance examination 高考[gāo kǎo]
4. (fig.) the most brilliantly talented person in the field
5. leading light

Word relationships

Related words

3 items

• 榜眼 bǎng yǎn 榜眼 bǎng yǎn candidate who came second in the Han-lin examination In the Imperial examination system, the second highest rank after 状元.: candidate who came second in the Han-lin examination
• 探花 tàn huā 探花 tàn huā candidate who came third in the Han-lin examination In the Imperial examination system, the third highest rank after 状元 and 榜眼.: candidate who came third in the Han-lin examination
• 学霸 xué bà 学霸 xué bà (slang) top student; bookworm In modern usage, refers to a top student, similar to 状元 in the context of exams.: (slang) top student; bookworm

Synonyms

1 item

• 天才 tiān cái 天才 tiān cái talent When used figuratively to mean a leading talent or genius in a field.: talent

Usage notes

Common mistakes

Do not use 状元 for the top scorer in an ordinary school test; it implies the highest level in a large-scale or important examination like the college entrance exam.

Formality

Historically formal due to its origin in the Imperial examination system; modern figurative use is neutral but often carries a respectful tone.

Example Sentences

1 shown

他今年高考成了全省 状元 。

He became the top scorer of the province in this year's college entrance exam.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 状元

• 行行出状元 行行出状元 háng háng chū zhuàng yuán: lit. in every trade, a master appears (idiom); fig. You can produce outstanding achievements in any task, provided you put it enough love and diligence

Child Words of 状元

• 元 元 yuán: currency unit (esp. Chinese yuan)
• 状 状 zhuàng: accusation