Definition
状元 originally referred to the top scholar in the highest imperial exam, and today it's used for anyone who ranks first in a competitive exam or excels in a field (e.g., 高考状元 'top gaokao scorer'). It carries a sense of being the absolute best, not just good.
noun
(historical) the top scholar who ranked first in the highest imperial examination(modern) the top scorer in a competitive examinationthe most talented person in a field
Easily confused
- 庄园zhuāng yuánsound-alikemanor; estate; villa with parkland
Examples
- 状元。Gǔdài kējǔ kǎoshì de zuìgāo róngyù shì zhuàng yuan.The highest honor in the ancient imperial examination system was being the top scholar.
- ，状元。Tā kǎo shàng le Běidà, shì dāngdì gāokǎo de zhuàng yuan.He got into Peking University and is the top scorer in the local gaokao.
- 状元，。Tā shì gōngsī de xiāoshòu zhuàng yuan, liánxù sān nián yèjì dì yī.She is the company's top salesperson, ranking first in performance for three consecutive years.
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