尝试

• Pinyin: cháng shì
• Hanzi breakdown: 尝 (taste, try) + 试 (try, test)

Meaning

To try; to attempt. Also: an attempt.

Used for making attempts at something new or challenging. Can function as both verb and noun. More formal than 试试 but less formal than 试图.

Examples

1. 我想尝试一下滑雪，但有点害怕。 I want to try skiing, but I'm a bit scared.
2. 这是一次大胆的尝试，虽然失败了但我们学到了很多。 This was a bold attempt — although it failed, we learned a lot.
3. 他尝试了很多次才成功。 He tried many times before succeeding.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, work, learning

Tone: encouraging

Do Say

• 值得尝试一下。(It's worth a try.)
• 我愿意尝试。(I'm willing to try.)

Don't Say

• 用'尝试'描述简单的日常动作——用'试试'更自然 (Don't use 尝试 for simple daily actions — 试试 is more natural)

Origin & History

Compound of 尝 (taste/try) + 试 (try/test), both meaning 'to try.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal