口頭試験

• Reading: こうとうしけん
• Romaji: koutou shiken
• Kanji breakdown: 口 (kō/kuchi) — mouth; 頭 (tō/atama) — head; 試 (shi) — try; 験 (ken) — verify
• Pronunciation: /koː.toː.ɕi.keɴ/

Meaning

Oral examination; a test conducted through spoken questions and answers rather than writing.

A compound noun combining 口頭 (oral, verbal) and 試験 (examination). Used in academic, professional, and licensing contexts. Common in graduate school defences, language proficiency tests, and medical board exams. Also called 口述試験 (kōjutsu shiken) in some settings.

Examples

1. 大学院の入試には口頭試験が含まれている。 The graduate school entrance exam includes an oral examination.
2. 口頭試験では自分の研究について説明しなければならない。 In the oral exam, you have to explain your own research.
3. 面接官の前で口頭試験を受けるのはとても緊張する。 Taking an oral exam in front of examiners is incredibly nerve-wracking.

Usage Guide

Context: academia, examinations, professional licensing

Tone: formal

Origin & History

Compound of 口頭 (kōtō, oral — lit. mouth + head) + 試験 (shiken, examination — lit. try + verify). Describes an exam format where answers are given verbally.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Students and professionals

Social background: Universal