释义 |
八股文 bāɡǔwén noun eight-part essay 八股文A literary exercise forming part of Ming and Qing imperial examinations. Candidates were expected to write an eight-part essay using a set number of characters. Each part adhered to a strict form and structure that included parallel sentences, tonal patterns and rhyme schemes. The essay became obsolete following the abolition of the imperial examination system in the early 20th century. |