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March 24, 2026
考试(考試)kǎoshì(kao3shi4)
考试 (kǎo shì) refers to the process of taking an exam or assessment to evaluate knowledge or skills in a specific subject. It is commonly used in educational contexts, such as schools and universities, and can also refer to various professional certifications and tests. The term encompasses both the action of taking an exam and the exam itself.
Frequency#2341DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
Exams, particularly the gaokao (高考), are a significant aspect of Chinese culture, often determining a student's future educational and career opportunities. This intense focus on exams reflects societal values regarding education and success.
Memory Tip
Imagine a student (考, kǎo) sitting at a desk with a big 'test' (试, shì) paper in front of them. The student is nervously 'evaluating' their knowledge as they write down answers, thus linking the idea of testing with the characters that look like a student in action.
Meanings of 考试
kǎoshì(kao3shi4)
1to take an exam
2exam
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About 考试
考试Simplified
考試Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名动词dòngcíverb-noun (v.-n.)Part of Speech
#2341Frequency Rank
次Measure Word
HSK 2.0L2HSK 3.0L2ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 考试
Podcast: 考试
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AI Study Notes for 考试
Quick Contrast
测验 (cè yàn) refers to a test or quiz that is typically shorter and less formal than an 考试 (kǎoshì), which is a more comprehensive examination.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a student (考, kǎo) sitting at a desk with a big 'test' (试, shì) paper in front of them. The student is nervously 'evaluating' their knowledge as they write down answers, thus linking the idea of testing with the characters that look like a student in action.
Usage Notes
Be careful with the tones; 'kǎo' (考) and 'shì' (试) must be pronounced correctly to avoid confusion. Common collocations include '期末考试' (final exam) or '考试成绩' (exam results). It's primarily used in formal settings.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 2 word, '考试' is essential for discussing school life and academic activities. Students should focus on the context in which exams are mentioned, such as studying, preparing, and the emotional aspects of taking exams.
Cultural Note
Exams, particularly the gaokao (高考), are a significant aspect of Chinese culture, often determining a student's future educational and career opportunities. This intense focus on exams reflects societal values regarding education and success.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse '考试' with '考' or '试' alone, leading to incomplete expressions. For example, saying '我有一个考' (I have a test) is incorrect; it should be '我有一个考试'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 考试
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Cultural Notes for 考试
🏮Cultural insight
Exams, particularly the gaokao (高考), are a significant aspect of Chinese culture, often determining a student's future educational and career opportunities. This intense focus on exams reflects societal values regarding education and success.
Frequently Asked Questions about 考试
考 (kǎo) refers to the action of testing or examining, while 试 (shì) can refer to a test or an attempt, and together they specifically denote an exam.
You can say '我下个月有一个考试' (I have an exam next month) to indicate your upcoming test.
You can use '考试' followed by a descriptor, such as '期末考试' (final exam) or '模拟考试' (mock exam).
