口试

• Pinyin: kǒu shì
• Hanzi breakdown: 口 = pictograph of mouth; 试 = 讠(speech) + 式, to test

Meaning

Oral examination; oral test; a test conducted verbally rather than in writing.

Contrasted with 笔试 (written exam). Common in language proficiency tests, academic defenses, and professional certifications. Can function as both noun and verb. Common contexts: 面试 + 口试 (interview with oral exam), 口试成绩 (oral exam score), 口试环节 (oral exam component).

Examples

1. 这次考试分为笔试和口试两部分，口试主要考查口语表达能力。 This exam is divided into written and oral parts; the oral exam mainly tests speaking ability.
2. 她为了准备英语口试，每天都找外教练习对话。 To prepare for the English oral exam, she practiced conversations with a foreign teacher every day.
3. 博士论文答辩其实就是一种特殊形式的口试。 A doctoral dissertation defense is actually a special form of oral examination.

Usage Guide

Context: education, language learning, professional

Tone: formal

Do Say

• 明天有口试，你准备好了吗？(There's an oral exam tomorrow, are you ready?)
• 口试的时候不要太紧张。(Don't be too nervous during the oral exam.)

Don't Say

• 把口试和面试完全等同 (口试 is specifically an oral exam testing knowledge/skills; 面试 is a broader job interview)

Origin & History

Compound of 口 (mouth, oral) + 试 (to test, examination). Together meaning 'test by speaking.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal