检验

• Pinyin: jiǎn yàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 检 = 木 (wood) + 佥 (all), meaning to examine; 验 = 马 (horse) + 佥 (all), meaning to test/verify

Meaning

To test; to examine; to inspect. Checking quality or validity.

Used for quality testing, verification, or examination. Common in industrial, medical, and academic contexts. Implies a systematic evaluation against standards. Related to 检查 but more focused on testing against criteria.

Examples

1. 实践是检验真理的唯一标准。 Practice is the sole criterion for testing truth.
2. 这批产品需要经过严格的质量检验才能出厂。 This batch of products must undergo strict quality inspection before leaving the factory.
3. 医生建议他做一个全面的血液检验。 The doctor recommended that he have a comprehensive blood test.

Usage Guide

Context: quality control, medical, science, philosophy

Tone: professional

Do Say

• 这个理论需要实践来检验。(This theory needs to be tested by practice.)
• 产品检验合格后才能上市。(Products can only go on the market after passing inspection.)

Don't Say

• 检验一下你的朋友 (For evaluating relationships, use 考验 — 检验 is for testing things against standards)

Origin & History

Compound of 检 (to examine, check) + 验 (to test, verify), meaning to inspect and verify.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Educated