试

• Pinyin: shì
• Hanzi breakdown: 试 = 讠(speech) + 式 (style, phonetic component)

Meaning

To try; to test; to attempt. Used when trying something out or giving something a go.

Often used in the reduplicated form 试试 or 试一试 to soften the tone, meaning 'give it a try'. Also appears in compounds like 考试 (exam) and 试衣间 (fitting room). Very common in spoken Chinese when encouraging someone to attempt something.

Examples

1. 你试试这个菜。 Try this dish.
2. 我想试一下。 I'd like to give it a try.
3. 让我试试看。 Let me try it and see.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, encouragement

Tone: encouraging

Do Say

• 你试试看！(Give it a try!)
• 我可以试一下吗？(Can I try it?)

Don't Say

• 我试了你的菜很好吃。(Incomplete — say 我试了你的菜，很好吃; or more naturally use 尝 for tasting food)

Origin & History

Compound of 讠(speech radical) and 式 (style, method), originally meaning to test through questioning or examination.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal