hsuan tsung: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowHistorical/Academic
Quick answer
What does “hsuan tsung” mean?
An imperial title (posthumous temple name) for the Tang Dynasty emperor Li Longji (685–762 CE), more commonly known in the West as Emperor Xuanzong of Tang.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An imperial title (posthumous temple name) for the Tang Dynasty emperor Li Longji (685–762 CE), more commonly known in the West as Emperor Xuanzong of Tang.
In scholarly or historical contexts, the term is often used as a synecdoche for the peak of Tang dynasty culture (the 'High Tang' period) and its subsequent political decline, as his reign encompassed both the cultural zenith under the Kaiyuan and Tianbao eras and the devastating An Lushan Rebellion.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage or spelling between UK and US English for this term. Both use the same historical romanizations.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties: scholarly, historical, sinological.
Frequency
Equally rare in both UK and US English, appearing almost exclusively in academic or high-culture publications.
Grammar
How to Use “hsuan tsung” in a Sentence
[Proper Noun - Subject] + verb (reigned, patronised, presided over) + [Historical Period/Event]The + [Adjective] + reign/era + of + [Proper Noun]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, art historical, and literary studies contexts discussing Tang Dynasty China.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Used as a precise historical identifier in sinology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hsuan tsung”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hsuan tsung”
- Misspelling as 'Hsuan Tung' or 'Xuan Zong'.
- Using it as a common noun.
- Confusing him with other emperors named Xuanzong from different dynasties.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. 'Hsuan Tsung' is the Wade-Giles romanization. 'Xuanzong' is the modern Pinyin romanization. They refer to the same historical figure.
His long reign (712-756 CE) represents the high point of Tang cultural and political power, but also its dramatic decline following the An Lushan Rebellion, making it a pivotal period in Chinese history.
No. It is a highly specialized historical term. In general contexts, you would say 'Emperor Xuanzong' or more broadly 'a Tang emperor'.
Treating it as a translatable common noun or adjective. It is exclusively a proper name for a specific person.
An imperial title (posthumous temple name) for the Tang Dynasty emperor Li Longji (685–762 CE), more commonly known in the West as Emperor Xuanzong of Tang.
Hsuan tsung is usually historical/academic in register.
Hsuan tsung: in British English it is pronounced /ˌʃwɑːn ˈtsʊŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌʃwɑːn ˈtsʊŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Hsuan Tsung - the Tang ruler who swung from cultural glory to rebellion's strife.'
Conceptual Metaphor
A NAME FOR AN ERA (The name stands for the entire period, its achievements, and its dramatic fall).
Practice
Quiz
Hsuan Tsung is best known as: