二战

• Pinyin: èr zhàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 二 (second) + 战 (battle/attempt) -> second campaign for an exam or goal.

Meaning

二战 means a second attempt at a major exam or goal, especially postgraduate entrance exams.

In student slang it usually does not mean World War II unless the context is history. It carries pressure, resilience, and anxiety about trying again.

Examples

1. 一战差两分，他决定二战考研。 He was two points short the first time, so he decided to take the postgraduate exam again.
2. 二战这一年，她换了复习方法。 In her second attempt, she changed her revision method.
3. 别在历史课里把二战听成考试。 Don't mistake the history lesson about the Second World War for an exam retake.

Usage Guide

Context: exam prep, graduate school, job goals

Tone: determined, pressured, self-aware

Do Say

• 第二次考研可说二战。（It fits a second exam attempt.）
• 备考社区常说一战二战。（Exam communities use this sequence.）

Don't Say

• 脱离考试语境乱用二战。（It may be confused with World War II.）

Common Mistakes

• Always check context: 二战 can be historical or exam slang.

Origin & History

The exam slang borrows 战, battle, to frame each attempt as a campaign; 二 marks the second try.

Cultural Context

Era: 2020s

Generation: University students and exam communities

Social background: Postgraduate and civil-service exam takers

Regional notes: Common in Mainland exam-prep discussions.