考试

• Pinyin: kǎo shì
• Hanzi breakdown: 考 (test, examine) + 试 (try, attempt) — an examination or test

Meaning

Exam; test. Can be used as both a noun (an exam) and a verb (to take an exam).

The standard word for all kinds of academic examinations. As a noun: 期末考试 (final exam), 入学考试 (entrance exam). As a verb: 我明天考试 (I have an exam tomorrow). Very frequent in school and study contexts.

Examples

1. 下星期有考试。 There is an exam next week.
2. 我明天要考试。 I have an exam tomorrow.
3. 这次考试不太难。 This exam wasn't too difficult.

Usage Guide

Context: school, exams

Tone: academic

Do Say

• 你考试考得怎么样？(How did your exam go?)
• 考试的时候不能看手机。(You can't look at your phone during the exam.)

Don't Say

• 我做考试。(Don't use 做 — say 我考试 or 我参加考试)

Origin & History

Compound of 考 (to test, examine) and 试 (to try, attempt) — to try out one's knowledge through examination.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal