take imperial exams; sit for provincial exam
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to take the imperial civil service examinations; (in Ming and Qing dynasties) to sit for the provincial examination
archaicHistorical term referring to the imperial examination system, specifically the provincial level exam (乡试) during Ming and Qing dynasties. No longer in use in modern contexts except historical discussion.
Tā他
nián年
qīng轻
shí时
céng曾
yìng应
jǔ举
，
kě可
xī惜
wèi未
néng能
zhòng中
jǔ举
。
He once sat for the imperial examinations when he was young, but unfortunately failed to pass.
Míng明
Qīng清
shí时
qī期
，
xǔ许
duō多
dú读
shū书
rén人
bì毕
shēng生
zhì致
lì力
yú于
yìng应
jǔ举
。
During the Ming and Qing periods, many scholars dedicated their entire lives to taking the imperial examinations.
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Yìng应
jǔ举
zhī之
lù路
chōng充
mǎn满
jiān艰
xīn辛
，
lù录
qǔ取
lǜ率
jí极
dī低
。
The path of taking the imperial examinations was fraught with hardship, and the admission rate was extremely low.