juren

Juren (举人) is a historical Chinese term referring to a scholar who has passed the provincial level examination within the imperial examination system of China. It is one of the ranked degrees in the traditional examination hierarchy, positioned between xiucai (秀才) and jinshi (进士). The concept and practice date from earlier dynasties but were especially prominent in the Ming and Qing periods.

Those who passed the provincial examination earned the title juren and gained eligibility to compete in the capital’s metropolitan examination for the higher jinshi degree. The juren designation signified a significant scholarly achievement and placed the holder within the literati and gentry class. While some juren proceeded to the jinshi level and obtained high official positions, not all did; appointments depended on imperial needs and examinations beyond provincial success.

The juren system was part of a broader framework that organized government recruitment and social status around scholarly merit. In daily life and culture, the term remains a reference point in historical writings, genealogies, literature, and discussions of the traditional scholar-official class. With the decline of the imperial system and the eventual abolition of the examination in the early 20th century, the practical role of juren ceased, but the term endures as a symbol of academic achievement in Chinese history.

See also: imperial examination system, xiucai, jinshi, jinshi degree.