试点

• Pinyin: shì diǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 试 = to try, test; 点 = point, location — pilot project, trial site

Meaning

Pilot project; to pilot; trial run. Testing a policy or program in a limited area before wider implementation.

A key concept in Chinese governance — policies are often tested in select cities or regions before national rollout. Can be noun (pilot project, trial site) or verb (to conduct a pilot). Common compounds: 试点城市 (pilot city), 试点项目 (pilot program), 先行试点 (pilot first).

Examples

1. 这项改革将先在几个城市进行试点。 This reform will first be piloted in several cities.
2. 试点成功后，这一政策将在全国推广。 After the pilot succeeds, this policy will be rolled out nationwide.
3. 深圳一直是中国改革开放的试点城市。 Shenzhen has always been a pilot city for China's reform and opening up.

Usage Guide

Context: government, policy, business

Tone: official

Do Say

• 公司决定先在北京试点新系统。(The company decided to pilot the new system in Beijing first.)
• 试点阶段暴露了一些问题。(The pilot phase revealed some issues.)

Don't Say

• 个人实验不用'试点' (For personal experiments, don't use 试点 — it implies organizational or governmental testing)

Origin & History

Compound of 试 (to try, test) + 点 (point, location). Literally 'trial point,' i.e., a location for testing.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Professional