考场

• Pinyin: kǎo chǎng
• Hanzi breakdown: 考 = 老 (old) + 丂, to examine; 场 = 土 (earth) + 昜 (sun rising), open ground

Meaning

Examination hall; test venue; the place where exams are held.

Specifically refers to the physical location where standardized tests or formal examinations take place. Used in educational contexts from middle school through professional certifications. Common phrases: 进入考场 (enter the exam hall), 考场纪律 (exam hall rules), 考场秩序 (exam hall order).

Examples

1. 考生们提前半小时到达考场，检查好自己的证件和文具。 The test-takers arrived at the exam hall half an hour early to check their IDs and stationery.
2. 考场里非常安静，只能听到笔尖划过试卷的沙沙声。 The exam hall was very quiet; you could only hear the rustling sound of pens moving across the test papers.
3. 监考老师宣布了考场纪律后，大家才开始答题。 After the proctor announced the exam hall rules, everyone began answering the questions.

Usage Guide

Context: education, examinations

Tone: formal

Do Say

• 请大家提前十五分钟进入考场。(Please enter the exam hall fifteen minutes early.)
• 考场里不允许使用手机。(Cell phones are not allowed in the exam hall.)

Don't Say

• 把考场和教室混用 (考场 specifically means an exam venue, not a regular classroom — use 教室 for everyday classes)

Origin & History

Compound of 考 (to examine, test) + 场 (place, field). Together meaning 'testing ground' or 'examination venue.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal